Production for recombinant lactoferrin and lactoferrin polypeptides using DNA sequences in various organisms

ABSTRACT

The verified cDNA sequences for human, bovine and porcine lactoferrin protein have been used to prepare recombinant lactoferrin for therapeutic and nutritional applications. Regions of the cDNA such as the Fe binding sites can be used to make an hLF polypeptide product. 
     The present invention provides novel plasmids, transfected eucaryotic cells and methods of producing these plasmids and transfected eucaryotic cells. The novel plasmid contains the cDNA for lactoferrin protein. Methods for the production of lactoferrin protein in fungi and bacteria are also provided. Thus, the present invention provides an efficient and economical means for the production of recombinant lactoferrin protein and lactoferrin related polypeptides.

This invention was made with government support under Grant No. HD27965 awarded by the National Institute of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/145,681, filed Oct. 28, 1993, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 07/967,947, filed Oct. 27, 1992, now abandoned which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/348,270, filed May 5, 1989, now abandoned. This application is also a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 07/873,304 filed Apr. 24, 1992 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of iron-binding glycoproteins. More specifically, the present invention relates to the recombinant production of various lactoferrins.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein found in milk and other secretions and body fluids. It is one of a number of iron binding proteins, sometimes referred to as transferring, and is involved in iron binding and delivery in mammals.

Human lactoferrin (hLF) is a member of the transferrin family of iron-binding monomeric glycoproteins. It was originally discovered in milk where it can reach levels of 7 grams/liter in colostrum. LF has since been detected in other external fluids of humans and other mammals. The fluids include tears, saliva and mucosal secretions and also in the secondary granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Lactoferrin has been implicated as a factor in resistance against enteritis infections in suckled newborn humans. The bacteriocidal/bacteriostatic actions are considered to be due at least in part to the iron binding properties of lactoferrin. Lactoferrin decreases the iron availability to iron-requiring microorganisms and thereby interferes with their growth and reproduction. At least one non-ironbinding bactericidal domain has also been reported for human lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is also considered to have antiviral properties and to have other potential therapeutic applications.

LF is a 78 kilo Dalton (k Da) glycoprotein having a bilobal structure with a high degree of homology between the C and N terminal halves which is evident at both the amino acid and three dimensional structural level. Each of these lobes can reversibly bind one ferric iron with high affinity and with the concomitant binding of bicarbonate. The biological functions proposed for lactoferrin include protection against microbial infection, enhanced intestinal iron absorption in infants, promotion of cell growth, regulation of myelopoiesis and modulation of inflammatory responses.

Human lactoferrin (hLF) has a high affinity for iron and two Fe³⁺ cations can be bound per molecule. The complete HLF protein has been subjected to amino acid sequencing and is reported to have 703 amino acids. There are two glycosylation sites. Metz-Boutigue et al., Eur. J Biochem., 145:659-676 (1984). Anderson et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, 84:1769-1773 (April 1987).

In other studies, a cloned cDNA probe for amino acids 428 to 703 of the Metz-Boutigue structure of the lactoferrin protein was isolated. The cDNA sequence was in general agreement with the earlier analysis of the amino acid sequence of the protein. Rado et al., Blood, 79; 4:989-993, 79; 4:989-993 (Oct. 1987). The probe was reported to encompass approximately 40% of the coding region and the 3' terminus. The cDNA sequence for both porcine, Lydon, J. P., et al., Biochem. Biophysic. ACTA, 1132:97-99 (1992); Alexander, L. J., et al., Animal Genetics, 23:251-256 (1992) and bovine lactoferrin, Mead, P. E., et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 18:7167 (1990); Pierce, A., et al., Eur. J Biochem., 196:177-184 (1991), have been determined.

Polypeptides derived from lactoferrin are also known to be biologically active. A fragment containing a possible iron binding site was reported by Rado, et al. supra. An N-terminal human lactoferrin fragment, including a bactericidal domain of HLF, was isolated from a pepsin digest. Bellamy, W. M., et al., Biochem. Biophys. ACTA, 1121:130-136 (1992). Synthetic 23 and 25 amino acid polypeptides were synthesized and found to have activities similar to the fragments derived by pepsin digestion. The synthesis details, yields and purity of the synthetic peptides were not reported. Bellamy et al. do not provide a practical route to large scale production of the polypeptides free of the contaminates resulting form isolation from natural products.

The bactericidal domain from lactoferrin has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial action. Bellamy, W. M. et al., J App. Bact. 73, 472-479 (1992). Although Bellamy et al. report that bovine lactoferrin isolated from milk can provide commercial quantities of the bovine polypeptide by pepsin digestion, the materials used in both studies had a minimum purity of only 95%. Bellamy, et al. do not provide constructs for the large scale production of synthetic human or bovine lactoferrin or lactoferrin polypeptides. Neither does Bellamy et al. provide the ability to produce peptides that are not available by enzyme digestion.

Filamentous fungi have been successfully employed as hosts in the industrial production of extracellular glycoproteins. Certain industrial strains are capable of secreting gram quantities of these proteins. In addition, filamentous fungi are able to correctly perform post-translational modifications of eucaryotic proteins and many strains have U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. Furthermore, large scale fermentation technology and downstream processing experience is available.

Currently, there is no efficient and economical way to produce hLF, other species lactoferrin, or to control production of lactoferrin polypeptides. Consequently, a long felt need and description in this art would be met by the development of an efficient method for the production of human lactoferrin for nutritional and therapeutic applications and for further investigation into its mechanism of action.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises the verified cDNA sequences for human lactoferrin, and cDNA expression systems for use of various lactoferrin DNA sequences to produce human, bovine, porcine and other lactoferrins for a variety of end uses. The cDNA expression systems of the invention also provide a practical route and method to make lactoferrin polypeptides or fragments having biological activity. The hLF cDNA includes an open reading frame of 2133 nucleotides coding for a protein of 711 amino acids. These 711 amino acids include 19 amino acids corresponding to a secretion signal peptide sequence followed by 692 amino acids of mature human lactoferrin. The cDNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence differ from the previously published data of Metz-Boutigue, supra.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides for a recombinant plasmid comprising the cDNA of human or other lactoferrin. The plasmid of the present invention is adapted for expression in a eucaryotic cell and contains the regulatory elements necessary for the expression of the human lactoferrin cDNA in this eucaryotic cell.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides for a transformed cell which includes a heterologous DNA sequence which codes for lactoferrin or a polypeptide related to lactoferrin. The heterologous DNA sequence will preferably be incorporated into a plasmid. Eucaryotic host cells are selected from the group consisting of mammalian cells, immortalized mammalian cells, fungi or yeasts. Preferred cells include filamentous fungi comprising Aspergillus, and yeasts. The plasmid contains a plasmid vector into which a polydeoxyribonucleotide (DNA) segment coding for human or other lactoferrin protein has been inserted.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a process for producing recombinant human or other lactoferrin which comprises culturing a transformant eucaryotic cell, which includes a recombinant plasmid. The plasmid contains a plasmid vector having a polydeoxyribonucleotide coding for the lactoferrin protein. After culturing in a suitable nutrient medium until lactoferrin protein is formed, the lactoferrin protein is isolated.

In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a recombinant expression vector. This vector comprises a transcriptional unit comprising an assembly of (1) a genetic element or elements having a regulatory role in gene expression; (2) cDNA coding for lactoferrin; (3) appropriate transcription and translation initiation and termination sequences; and (4) a genetic element for selection of transformed cells or spores such as Aspergillus spores that have been transformed with the vector.

In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing biologically active recombinant lactoferrin. The method comprises synthesizing sequences containing a selectable marker gene, a promotor, a transcription termination sequence, and a linker sequence; cloning the sequences to form a plasmid; digesting the plasmid with a restriction endonuclease; inserting a cDNA coding for lactoferrin into a restriction site; and transforming eucaryotic cells with the plasmid expressing lactoferrin cDNA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages, and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become clear, are obtained and can be understood in detail, more particular descriptions of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to certain embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings form a part of this specification.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention may admit to other equally effective equivalent embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of the hLF cDNA including the locations of the 5' untranslated region, the secretion peptide signal sequence, mature lactoferrin and 3' untranslated region.

FIG. 2 is the cDNA sequence (SEQ. ID No. 1) with deduced amino acids (SEQ. ID No. 2) for the human lactoferrin protein and signal peptide sequence.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an autoradiograph of recombinant human lactoferrin protein expressed from the complete cDNA.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of an autoradiograph of the results of in vitro translation of a 2,140 bp human lactoferrin sequence and hLF protein in reticulocyte lysates.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic representation of the Aspergillus oryzae expression plasmid, pAhlfg.

FIG. 6 shows a southern blot analysis of transformed Aspergillus oryzae strains.

FIG. 7 depicts an RNA analysis of transformant versus control A07.

FIG. 8 shows the silver stained SDS-acrylimide gel analysis of recombinant LF secretion and purification.

FIG. 9 illustrates the characterization of recombinant human LF.

FIG. 10 is a western immunoblot of cellular extracts of transformed E. coli cells expressing the C terminal fragment of LF.

FIG. 11 shows the coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE analysis of extracts of transformed E. coli cells expressing the C terminal fragment of LF.

FIG. 12 shows the expression and purification of the glutathione S-transferase/LFN-1 fusion protein.

FIG. 13 Schematic representation of the A. Oryzae universal expression plasmid, pAG.

FIG. 14 is the (A) cDNA sequence (SEQ. ID No. 3) with (B) deduced amino acids (SEQ. ID No. 4) for the bovine lactoferrin protein.

FIG. 15 is the (A) cDNA sequence (SEQ. ID No. 5) with (B) deduced amino acids (SEQ. ID No. 6) for the porcine lactoferrin protein.

FIG. 16 is a Western blot showing hLF expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

FIG. 17 is a schematic of the plasmid used for expression of the cDNA (SEQ. ID No. 1) in Aspergillis nidulans.

FIG. 18 shows restriction enzyme cleavage sites for the human cDNA sequence.

FIG. 19 shows restriction enzyme cleavage sites for the bovine cDNA sequence.

FIG. 20 shows restriction enzyme cleavage sites for the porcine cDNA sequence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of the present application, the term "transferrin family" means a family of iron transferring proteins including serum transferrin, ovotransferrin and lactoferrin. These proteins are all structurally related.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "vector(s)" means plasmid, cosmid, phage or other vehicle to allow insertion, propagation and expression of lactoferrin cDNA.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "host(s)" means any cell that will allow lactoferrin expression.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "promotor(s)" means regulatory DNA sequences that controls transcription of the lactoferrin cDNA.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "multiple cloning cassette" means a DNA fragment containing restriction enzyme cleavage sites for a variety of enzymes allowing insertion of a variety of cDNAs.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "transformation" means incorporation permitting expression of heterologous DNA sequences by a cell.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "iron binding capacity" means ability to bind Fe. Fully functional human lactoferrin can bind two atoms of iron per molecule of LF.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "biological activity/biological active" means biological activity of lactoferrin as measured by its ability to bind iron, or kill microorganisms, or retard the growth of microorganisms, or to function as an iron transfer protein.

For the purposes of the present application, the term "substitution analog" referring to a DNA sequence means a DNA sequence in which one or more codons specifying one or more amino acids of lactoferrin or a lactoferrin polypeptide are replaced by alternate codons that specify the same amino acid sequence with a different DNA sequence. Where "substitution analog" refers to a protein or polypeptide it means the substitution of a small number, generally five or less, commonly 3 or 4, and more often 1 or 2 amino acids as are known to occur in allelic variation in human and other mammalian proteins wherein the biological activity of the protein is maintained. For example, hLF isolated from milk has been reported to differ from the hLF of SEQ. ID No. 2 at two amino acid residues.

The confirmation of the cDNA sequence and the deduced amino acid have been proven by multiple confirmation procedures. These are:

1. Multiple sequence analyses.

2. Comparison of the amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA with that of hLF generated by conventional amino acid sequencing of hLF isolated from milk. The unique cDNA sequence which encodes the human lactoferrin protein has a variety of applications as known and indicated in the literature.

3. Transcription and translation of hLF protein from the cDNA with positive identification using an anti-hLF antibody.

The cDNA sequence of the present invention can be used to prepare recombinant human lactoferrin, thus making available a source of protein for therapeutic and nutritional applications. The confirmed cDNA of this invention can be used in an appropriate cloning vehicle to replicate the cDNA sequence. Also, the cDNA can be incorporated into a vector system for human lactoferrin expression. Other lactoferrin DNA sequences can be substituted for the human lactoferrin cDNA sequence to provide bovine, porcine, equine or other lactoferrins. Partial cDNA sequences can also be employed to give desired lactoferrin derived polypeptides. The expression systems of the invention can be used to provide lactoferrin derived polypeptides that are not available by enzymatic digestion of naturally occurring lactoferrin. The invention further provides an expression system for producing lactoferrin and lactoferrin related polypeptides in mammalian cell lines, other eucaryotic cells including yeast and fungal cells and procaryotic cells. The invention allows for the production of lactoferrin free of lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, or other proteins that are contaminants of lactoferrin isolated from milk or other natural products. This invention is not limited to any particular uses of the human cDNA sequence or production of lactoferrin of other species from the appropriate DNA sequences.

The recombinant LF being a protein derived by recombinant techniques can be used in a variety of applications. The human gene can be transferred to mammalian systems such as cows and other agriculturally important animals and expressed in milk. The incorporation of a human lactoferrin gene and expression in the milk of animals can combat an iron deficiency typical in piglets. The inclusion of the human lactoferrin gene with expression should improve an animal's disease resistance to bacterial and viral infection. The tissue specific expression of human lactoferrin in mammary glands, for instance, would impart the bacteriocidal and virucidal benefit of the expressed gene to young feeding on the milk and would provide a production means for the secreted protein for therapeutic use.

The gene can be placed in the appropriate cloning vector for the production of LF. The LF produced by recombinant methods can be used in a variety of products including human or animal foods, as therapeutic additives to enhance iron transport and delivery, and for the virucidal and bacteriocidal qualities, as additives for eyedrops, contact lens and other eye care solutions, topical skin care products, eardrops, mouthwashes, chewing gum and toothpaste. The recombinant LF would provide a safe, naturally occurring product which can be topically applied as well as ingested safely. The bactericidal lactoferrin polypeptides are useful as preservatives in the above listed products, and as therapeutic anti-infection agents. The iron binding polypeptides are useful as iron carrier proteins for nutritional and therapeutic uses, and as bacteriostats and bactericides, especially in products of the types listed above. Each protein may also be used as a nutrition supplement and as a source of amino acids.

The full-length cDNA encoding human lactoferrin has been isolated, and the analysis has been completed. The cDNA sequence has been confirmed as human lactoferrin cDNA by comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with the published amino acid sequence of hLF. The expression of lactoferrin was observed in a eucaryotic expression system from the cDNA and a plasmid vector. The presence of lactoferrin was confirmed by standard Western immunoblot analysis using anti-human lactoferrin antibodies and relative molecular mass measurement.

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the lactoferrin cDNA. The sequence can generally be described as an initial 5' untranslated region, 17 nucleotides in length. The next portion is 57 nucleotides which codes for the 19 amino acid secretion signal peptide starting with methionine. The next sequence of the cDNA codes for the mature human lactoferrin protein of 692 amino acids followed by the 3' untranslated region of 208 nucleotides which ends the cDNA. The complete sequence is 2,358 nucleotides in length. The hLF protein contains glycosylation sites. The hLF protein with secretion signal sequence has an expected molecular mass of 78,403 daltons and the mature hLF is 76,386 daltons without added carbohydrate from glycosylation.

FIG. 2 is the cDNA sequence (SEQ ID No. 1) with the deduced amino acids (SEQ ID No. 2) for the secretion signal peptide and the mature human lactoferrin protein. The numbers on FIG. 2 correspond to the nucleotides starting at the 5' end. There are binding sites for two iron atoms with four amino acids participating in the binding of each iron. The amino acids at positions Asp80, Tyr112, Tyr209, and His273 are required for coordination with one iron, and amino acids at positions Asp415, Tyr455, Tyr548, and His617 bind the other. There are two glycosylation sites at positions Asn157 and Asn498. The numbers refer to the deduced amino acid sequence. There are 25 amino acids per line of protein sequence (starting at nucleotide 18).

The nucleotide sequence analysis was performed on cDNA isolated from a human prostate cDNA library. The prostate cDNA library yielded a 2,140 bp cDNA which contained the complete 5' end including the untranslated portion and the signal sequence. The 3' end including the three amino acids at the carboxy terminal and the untranslated region were obtained as a 208 bp cDNA from both a monocyte cDNA library and human prostate cDNA library.

The data in FIG. 2 displays the full-length cDNA sequence of this invention. The complete sequence including the 5' untranslated region and signal peptide have not been reported. Further, the previously reported amino acid sequence varies from the deduced amino acid sequence for hLF of this invention. The following TABLE 1 is a summary of the differences of the amino acid sequence of the present invention and those reported by Metz-Boutigue et al., Eur. J. Biochem., vol. 145, pp. 659-76 (1984). For the purpose of this table, the numbering of the amino acids will be initiated with methionine at the start of the signal peptide sequence as amino acid #1.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         COMPARISON OF AMINO ACID SEQUENCES                                             HUMAN LACTOFERRIN                                                              Amino Acid Deduced       Metz-Boutigue                                         from cDNA of hLF                                                                              Change    Sequence                                              ______________________________________                                         # 30 Thr       Substitution                                                                             Ala                                                   # 48 Arg       Substitution                                                                             Lys                                                   # 141 Arg      Insertion NONE                                                  # 170 Ala      Insertion NONE                                                  # 204 Ser      Substitution                                                                             Leu                                                   # 206 Gln      Substitution                                                                             Lys                                                   # 209 Tyr      Substitution                                                                             Lys                                                   # 386 Glu      Substitution                                                                             Gln                                                   # 392 Ser      Substitution                                                                             Trp                                                   # 410 Asp      Substitution                                                                             Asn                                                   # 411-424      Deletion  13 Amino acids in                                                              protein sequence not                                                           in deduced amino                                                               acid sequence from                                                             cDNA                                                  # 532 Gln      Substitution                                                                             Glu                                                   # 695 Lys      Substitution                                                                             Arg                                                   ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 3 is the expression of human lactoferrin protein from the complete hLF cDNA. In addition to using the entire cDNA sequence and deduced amino acid sequence, a polypeptide of less than the entire protein can be of value. For instance, the region between amino acids 74-275 contains an iron binding domain which may be used without the rest of the protein for biologically available iron or the bacteriostatic qualities.

The cDNA sequence has been confirmed to encode lactoferrin. The hLF cDNA was shown to encode lactoferrin by expression of the cDNA in a eucaryotic expression system and detection of the expressed lactoferrin protein by Western immunoblot analysis using specific lactoferrin antibodies.

Recombinant production of lactoferrin protein has been described below in its preferred embodiments. However, it is also produced in a number of other sources such as fungal sources such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces lactis, or Pichia pastorsis, or insect cells such as SF9, or bacterial cells such as Escherichia coli, or Bacillus subtilis.

In one embodiment of the present invention, biologically active recombinant lactoferrin protein is produced. This method comprises synthesizing sequences containing a selectable marker gene, a promotor, a transcription termination sequence and a linker sequence.

Subsequently, the sequences are cloned to form a plasmid and the plasmid is digested with a restriction endonuclease. A cDNA coding for lactoferrin is inserted into a restriction site and eucaryotic cells are then transformed with the plasmid expressing the lactoferrin cDNA.

The selectable marker gene useful in the method of the present invention may be any that permits isolation of cells transformed with a lactoferrin cDNA plasmid. Preferably, the selectable marker gene is selected from pyr4, pyrG, argB, trpC and andS.

The promotor useful in the present invention may be any that allows regulation of the transcription of the lactoferrin cDNA. Preferably, the promotor is selected from the group of alcohol dehydrogenase, argB, α-amylase and glucoamylase genes.

The transcription termination sequence useful in the present method may be any that allows stabilization of the lactoferrin mRNA. Preferably, the transcription termination sequence is derived from the α-amylase, glucoamylase, alcohol dehydrogenase or benA genes.

The linker sequence useful in the present method may be any that contains a translation initiation codon, a secretory signal and a restriction enzyme cleavage site. Preferably, the linker element is derived from the α-amylase or glucoamylase genes.

The cells, preferably eucaryotic cells, useful in the present invention are any that allow for integration of a vector, preferably a plasmid comprising the lactoferrin cDNA and expression of the lactoferrin cDNA. Preferably, the eucaryotic cells are fungal cells or insect cells. Insect cells such as SF9 are useful in the method of the present invention. More preferably, the fungal cells are yeast cells or Aspergillus. Most preferably, the eucaryotic cells useful in the present invention are Aspergillus strains, such as A. oryzae, A. niger, A. nidulans and A. awamori.

The invention also comprises partial sequences of the cDNA of SEQ ID No. 1, 3 and 5 and substitution analogs thereof which code for biologically active polypeptides having homology with a portion of lactoferrin, especially those that are not available from enzyme digests of natural lactoferrins, the method of making polypeptides by use and expression of partial cDNA sequences, and the polypeptide products produced by the methods of this invention. The desired partial sequences can be produced by restriction enzyme cleavage, as for example at the cleavage sites indicated in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20. the partial sequences may also be synthesized or obtained by a combination of cleavage, ligation and synthesis, or by other methods known to those skilled in the art.

Recombinant production of lactoferrin protein and polypeptides has been described in its preferred embodiment. However, it is also produced in a number of other sources such as fungal sources such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces lactis, or Pichia pastorsis or insect cells such as SF9, and lactoferrin polypeptides may also be produced in bacterial cells such as Escherichia coli, or Bacillus subtilis.

The following examples are given for the purposes of illustrating various embodiments of the present invention and are not meant to be limitations of the present invention in any form.

EXAMPLE 1

HUMAN LACTOFERRIN cDNA

The complete 2,358 bp hLF cDNA was ligated to the eucaryotic expression vector, p91023(B) at the EcoRi site downstream from the adenovirus major late promoter. This plasmid vector was provided by Genetics Institute (Cambridge, Mass.) and has been described in previous publications (Wong et al., Science 288:810-815 (1985)). The hLF cDNA expression vector was transferred into COSM-6 monkey kidney cells using standard tissue culture transfection conditions (Wigler et al., Cell, 16:777-785 (1979)). These COS cells do not normally express lactoferrin. Forty-eight hours after transfection, the cells were harvested and crude cell extracts were prepared. Positive identification of the human lactoferrin was made by standard Western immunoblot analysis of the proteins expressed in the cell extracts, as well as those secreted into the cell growth medium using a commercially available antibody directed against human lactoferrin (Sigma). Proteins which bound to the anti-lactoferrin antibody were detected using radio-iodine labelled Protein A which reacts with the antibody. The immunoblots were autoradiographed to identify the human lactoferrin protein. FIG. 3 is an autoradiographic film showing the human lactoferrin expressed in four cell extracts prepared from tissue culture cells which were transfected with the lactoferrin cDNA expression vector (lanes 5 to 8). Lanes 5 to 8 show that the transfected cells all contain human lactoferrin (marked with an arrow) which is immunoreactive with the anti-lactoferrin antibody and is the same molecular weight as human lactoferrin (M_(r) =78,403 daltons). The control cells which were not transfected with the cDNA did not contain lactoferrin (lanes 3 and 4). Analysis of the growth medium showed that human lactoferrin was also secreted into the medium from transfected cells (lane 2) but not from control cells (lane 1).

The cDNA encodes a recombinant human lactoferrin protein which is similar to human lactoferrin protein isolated from milk as determined by molecular size comparisons and immunoreactivity with anti-human lactoferrin. Furthermore, the secretion signal peptide sequence is functional since the human lactoferrin is secreted into the growth medium of tissue culture cells which express the cDNA.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the human lactoferrin protein precipitated after in vitro transcription and translation of the human lactoferrin cDNA. The 2140 bp cDNA was from the human prostate cDNA library and included the 5' untranslated region and the rest of the base pairs correlative to the cDNA sequence of FIG. 2 omitting the last 208 bp at the 3' terminus. The 2140 bp cDNA was ligated to the EcoRI site of the plasmid vector pGEM₄ (commercially available from Promega Biotech., Madison, Wis. 53711-5305) downstream from the SP₆ promoter. The plasmid construct was linearized at the 3' end of the hLF cDNA using the restriction enzyme Hinc II or Xba I. The linear DNA template was then transcribed in vitro using purified SP₆ RNA polymerase in the presence of ribonucleotides as described in the manufacturers protocol (Promega Corporation 1988/1989 Catalogue and Applications Guide). The resultant mRNA was translated using 100 ng mRNA template and micrococcal nuclease treated rabbit reticulocyte lysate (as described by Promega) in the presence of 75uCi ³⁵ S methionine (800 ci/mmol, Amersham). In vitro synthesized lactoferrin was immunoprecipitated by incubating 100 ul aliquots of translation reaction with 10 ug of rabbit anti-human lactoferrin IgG (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Mo. 63178) for 2 hours at 4° C. in 50 mM Tris, pH7.5/0.15M NaCl/0.05% Tween-20 (1P buffer). The reaction volume was 200 ul. Immunoreactive lactoferrin was precipitated after incubation for 1 hour with 50 ug of Protein A sepharose (Pharmacia, Upsalla, Sweden). Immunoprecipitation was carried out by centrifugation for 5 minutes at 10,000 g and the precipitate was washed 5 times with 4 volumes of 1P buffer. Total translation products and immunoprecipitates were then subjected to electrophoresis in denaturing 7.5% polyacrylamide gels. After fixing in 50% methanol, the gels were incubated in En³ Hance (NEN, DuPont, Wilmington, Del. 19801) for 1 hour and washed with distilled H₂ O. The gel was then dried under vacuum and exposed to Kodak X-OMAT XAR film at -70° C.

Lane 1 shows ¹⁴ C protein molecular weight markers used to estimate the size of the translated proteins. Lane 2 is a negative control which shows that no ³⁵ S labelled proteins are translated in this system when no mRNA is added to the translation mix. Lanes 3 and 4 show the total translation products obtained when lactoferrin MRNA is added after preparation from two separate DNA templates. The major protein band (marked with an arrow) is human lactoferrin. This is the only band detected when the translation products are immunoprecipitated with anti-human lactoferrin before applying the protein to the gel (lane 6). The measurement of molecular mass by SDS-PAGE does not correspond to exact molecular weight due to secondary protein structure. However, the values are shifted in a correlative manner in comparison to the control. Analysis of the size of the translated lactoferrin is shown in FIG. 4. The protein migrated at the expected molecular mass of human lactoferrin (about 78 Kd). The major bands in lanes 3 and 4 which migrate higher than the 68 Kd marker band in the control lane correspond to expected molecular mass of hLF protein on SDS-PAGE.

EXAMPLE 2

FUNGAL STRAINS AND TRANSFORMATION

The pyrG mutant strain used in these studies was derived from A. oryzae (A07 11488). The pyrG gene from A. oryzae was mutated with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. The Aspergillus transformation was carried out by a modification of the procedure of Osmani, et al., J. Cell. Biol. 104:1495-1504 (1987). Conidia (1×10⁶ /ml) were inoculated into 50 ml of YG medium (0.5% yeast extract 2% glucose) containing 5 mM uracil and 10 mM uridine. Growth was at 32° C. for 14-16 hours until a germ tube was visible. The germinated conidia were harvested by centrifugation and resuspended in 40 ml of lytic mix containing 0.4M ammonium sulphate, 50 mM potassium citrate (pH 6.0), 0.5% yeast extract, 0.12 g novozyme, 0.1 g Driselase, 100 μl β-glucuronidase, 0.5% sucrose and 10 mM MgSO₄. Protoplasting was for 2-3 hours at 32° C. and 150 rpm. Following protoplasting, filtration using sterile miracloth was necessary to remove any undigested mycelia. The protoplasts were harvested by centrifugation and washed twice with 10 ml of 0.4M ammonium sulphate, 1% sucrose and 50 mM potassium citrate (pH 6.0) at 4° C., resuspended in 1 ml of 0.6M KCl; 50 mM CaCl; 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) and placed on ice. The transformation was performed immediately following the protoplast preparation. Aliquots (100 μl) of the protoplast were added to 3 μg of DNA and 50 μl of 40% polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000, 50 mM CaCl₂, 0.6M KCl and 10 mM Tris-HCl, (pH 7.5). The samples were incubated on ice for fifteen minutes after which an additional 1 ml of the PEG solution was added and incubation at room temperature was continued for thirty minutes. Aliquots of this mixture were plated in 3 mls of 0.7% minimal media, supplemented with 0.4% ammonium sulphate onto plates containing the same but solidified with 2% agar. All subsequent growth was at 32° C.

EXAMPLE 3

PLASMID CONSTRUCTION

A schematic representation of the expression plasmid is shown in FIG. 5. The complete cDNA encoding human LF was repaired using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I and subcloned into Acc I digested and repaired pGEM4 to generate pGEMhLFc. In order to remove the LF signal sequence and generate a 5' end in frame with the α-amylase sequences, a 252 base pair lactoferrin fragment (nt 69-321) containing Hind II/Acc I ends was obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of pGEMhLFc plasmid DNA. The oligo primers used were as follows: the 5' end oligonucleotide as shown in SEQ. ID. No. 7:

(CTGGGTCGACGTAGGAGAAGGAGTGTTCAGTGGTGC)

and the 3' end oligonucleotide as shown in SEQ. ID. No. 8:

(GCCGTAGACTTCCGCCGCTACAGG).

This PCR fragment was digested with Hind II and Acc I and was subcloned into Hind II/Acc I digested pGEMhLFc generating pGEMhLF. A 681 base pair α-amylase fragment with Asp718/Pvu II ends encoding the promotor, signal sequence and the alanine residue from the start of the mature α-amylase II gene, was obtained by PCR amplification of A. oryzae genomic DNA. The oligo primers were as follows: the 5' end oligonucleotide as shown in SEQ. ID. No. 9:

(GAGGTACCGAATTCATGGTGTTTTGATCATTTTAAATTTTTATAT)

and the 3' end oligonucleotide as shown in SEQ. ID. No. 10:

(AGCAGCTGCAGCCAAAGCAGGTGCCGCGACCTGAAGGCCGTAC AG).

The amplified DNA was digested with Asp718 and Pvu II and subcloned into Asp718/Hind II digested pGEMhLF. The resulting plasmid (pGEMAhLF) was digested with EcoR I and the resulting 2.8 kb α-amylase-lactoferrin fragment was subcloned into a unique EcoR I site in pAL3 according to the method of generating pAhLF*. Synthetic oligonucleotides were used to provide the last five carboxy terminal codons of lactoferrin (nt 2138-2153) missing in pAhLF* and also to provide the first 180 bp of 3' untranslated sequences from the A. niger glucoamylase gene. The resulting plasmid (pAhLFG ) was used to transform the A. oryzae pyrG mutant strain.

With reference to FIG. 5, Aspergillus oryzae expression plasmid, pAhLFG contains 681 bp of 5'-flanking sequence of the A. oryzae AMY II gene which includes the signal sequence and first codon of mature α-amylase. The cDNA coding for mature human lactoferrin is subcloned in frame downstream from these sequences allowing recombinant protein production by the addition of starch to the growth medium. The Aspergillus niger glucoamylase 3' untranslated region provides the transcription terminator and polyadenylation signals. The plasmid also contains the Neurospora crassa pyr4 selectable marker and an ampicillin resistance gene.

The plasmid construct (pAhLFG) used for expression of human LF contains a 681 bp fragment that encodes the promotor and secretory signal peptide of the A. oryzae α-amylase II gene (AMY II). The signal sequence also contains the codon for alanine from the start of the a-amylase mature protein generating the signal sequence cleavage site (Leu Ala) recognizable by an endogenase α-amylase peptidase. A human lactoferrin cDNA fragment encoding the mature protein was subcloned in frame immediately downstream from the AMY II sequences, placing it under the control of this highly efficient starch inducible promoter. In order to stabilize the transcribed human LF mRNA, a 180 bp fragment encoding the 3' untranslated region of the glucoamylase gene from Aspergillus niger was ligated into a unique BamH I site in the multiple cloning cassette, immediately downstream of the human LF cDNA providing the transcription terminator and polyadenylation signals. The plasmid also contains the Neurospora crassa pyr4 selectable marker which complements a pyrG auxotrophic mutation of A. oryzae and allows for selection of spores that have been transformed with the plasmid by growth in the absence of uridine.

EXAMPLE 4

GENOMIC DNA MANIPULATION

A. oryzae DNA was isolated from 200 mg of lyophilized mycelia as described by Rasmussen, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265:13767-13775 (1990). The DNA was digested with EcoR I, size fractionated on a 0.8% agarose gel and transferred to nitrocellulose. Prehybridization and hybridization of the nitrocellulose filter for Southern analysis were performed in 6XSSC, 0. 1% SDS and 0.5% dried milk at 65° C. for 16 hours. Hybridization solution contained 1×10⁷ cpm ³² P-labelled lactoferrin cDNA probe (2.1 Kb). The filter was washed in 2XSSC, 0.5% SDS at room temperature for 30 minutes followed by two washes in 0.5X SSC, 0.5% SDS at 68° C. for 30 minutes. The filter was dried, exposed at -70° C. for two hours and developed by autoradiography.

With reference to FIG. 6, Southern blot analysis was performed on transformed Aspergillus oryzae strains. Genomic DNA from individual transformants and control A07 were hybridized with a radiolabelled hLF cDNA probe (2.1 kb). The arrow points to a radiolabelled fragment (2.8 kb) generated upon EcoR I digestion of the expression plasmid which is present in all the transformants (#1-9) but is absent in control untransformed A07. Molecular weights of bacteriophage lambda Hind III fragments are indicated at the left.

EXAMPLE 6

NORTHERN ANALYSIS

RNA was isolated from lyophilized mycelia (200 mg) using commercially available RNazol B (Biotecx Laboratories, INC, Houston, Tex.) according to the manufacturers instructions. Total RNA (20 μg) was electrophoresed in a 0.8% agarose gel containing 2.2M formaldehyde. The RNA was transferred to nitrocellulose and hybridized with either a 2.1 kb lactoferrin cDNA or a 1.8 kb genomic a-amylase fragment corresponding to the coding region of the α-amylase II gene. The probes were ³² P-labelled by nick translation (specific activity 2×10⁸ cpm/ug). Hybridization was carried out 2 X SSC, 0.05% dried milk at 65° C. over an ice with 2×10⁶ cpm probe/ml.

Washes were identical to those employed in the Southern analysis. The filters were dried, exposed at -70° C. for two hours and developed by autoradiography. RNA dot blots were performed using nitrocellulose membrane and the manifold dot blot system. Hybridization and washing conditions were as described above for Southern analysis. Radioactivity was quantitated using the betagon blot analyzer.

With reference to FIG. 7, RNA analysis of transformant versus control A07 was performed. In Panel A, Northern analysis of RNA (20 μg) from control A07 and transformant #1 were hybridized with radiolabelled human LF cDNA. Human LF MRNA (2.3 kb) was detected in the transformant #1 but not in the control untransformed A07. The positions of the 28S and 18S rRNA bands are indicated on the left. In Panel B, Dot blots of RNA (5 and 10 μg) from control A07 versus transformant #1 using a radiolabelled α-amylase genomic DNA probe. In Panel C, Dot blots of RNA (5 and 10 μg) from control A07 and transformant #1 using radiolabelled human LF cDNA probe as illustrated.

Northern analysis was performed to determine if lactoferrin mRNA was transcribed correctly and efficiently in A. oryzae under the regulatory control elements of the expression plasmid. Spores (1×10⁶ /ml) from transformant #1 and from control untransformed spores were inoculated into fungal medium containing 1.5% glucose as carbon source and grown at 30° C. for 48 hours in small shake flask cultures. The cultures were washed and reinoculated into fungal medium containing 3 % starch to induce transcription of the human LF mRNA. After 24 hours, the cells were harvested and RNA was isolated. Total RNA (20 μg) was size fractionated on a 1.0% agarose gel containing 2.2M formaldehyde and blotted on nitrocellulose.

Human lactoferrin mRNA was detected using ³² p labelled human LF cDNA (2.0 kb) probe. Hybridization with human LF radiolabelled cDNA probe detected a specific radiolabelled band at the correct size for lactoferrin MRNA (2.3 kb) in the transformant but not in the control untransformed strain (FIG. 7A). Quantitation of mRNA levels by dot assay showed comparable levels of expression of endogenous α-amylase rRNA between control A07 and transformant #1 (FIG. 7B). In addition, similar levels of expression of α-amylase and human LF mRNA were seen in transformant #1 (FIG. 7B and 7C).

EXAMPLE 6

PURIFICATION OF RECOMBINANT HUMAN LF

LF was purified from the growth medium using CM Sephadex C50 essentially as described by Stowell, et al., Biochem J., 276:349-59 (1991). The column was pre-equilibrated with 500 ml of 0.025M Tris HCl, pH 7.50 1M NaCl. The pH of the culture medium was adjusted to pH 7.4 before applying to the pre-equilibrated column. The column was washed with 500 ml of equilibration buffer and followed by a linear salt gradient from 0.1 to 1.1M NaCl. Fractions (7 ml total) were assayed for lactoferrin content and purity using SDS/PAGE and silver staining. Fractions containing LF were dialyzed against 0.025M Tris HCl, pH 7.5/0.1M NaCl and lyophilized.

EXAMPLE 7

QUANTITATION OF HUMAN LF

Recombinant lactoferrin was quantitated using an ELISA assay essentially as described by Vilja et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 76:73-83 (1985). A sensitivity of 5 ng of lactoferrin was obtained using the non-competitive Avidin-biotin assay. Human LF isolated from breast milk (Sigma) was used as standard. Biotinylated human lactoferrin IgG was obtained from Jackson Immunoresearch laboratories, West Grove, Pa.

EXAMPLE 8

N-TERMINAL SEQUENCING

Five μg of purified recombinant human LF was resolved on an SDS-polyacrylamide gel and transferred to Problott, a polyvinylidene difluride-type membrane, following manufacturers instructions (Applied Biosystems). Human LF was detected with Comassie Brilliant Blue staining and destained. This human LF band was excised, washed thoroughly with distilled H₂ O and air-dried. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first ten amino acids of human LF was determined by the automated Edman degradation procedure using an applied Biosystems Pulsed-liquid phase sequencer (Model 477A).

With reference to FIG. 8, panel A illustrates a Silver stained SDS-polyacrylamide gel analysis of recombinant human LF secretion and purification. Lane 1 contains breast milk human LF standard (500 ng). Lanes 2 and 3 contain samples of the growth medium (40 μg) from induced control A07 and transformant #1 respectively. Lanes 4-8 contain 100 μl aliquots of eluted fractions (#25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 respectively) collected from the CM-sephadex purification of recombinant LF from the growth medium of transformant #1. The position of the molecular weight markers (BioRad Richmond, Calif.) are indicated on the left. Sizes are given in kilo Daltons. Panel B illustrates a Western immunoblot analysis of duplicate samples as described in panel A using a specific polyclonal antibody directed against human LF with detection with ¹²⁵ I-protein A. Panel C illustrates #6 N-terminal amino acid sequence of recombinant human LF. Recombinant human LF was sequenced from the N-terminus through 10 residues and is identical to breast milk human LF with the exception of the additional alanine generated in our construction to provide the a-amylase signal sequence cleavage site.

EXAMPLE 9

DEGLYCOSYLATION

Deglycosylation was performed using N-glycosidase F (Boehringer Mannheim). A. oryzae growth medium containing 0.5 μg lactoferrin was denatured for 3 minutes at 100° C. in the presence of 0.01% SDS. Standard LF from human milk was treated similarly. The samples were subsequently placed on ice for five minutes. N-glycosidase F reactions were conducted in 0.4M sodium phosphate, (pH 6.8); 0.08% Triton; 0.1% β-mercaptoethanol and 1 unit of enzyme and incubated at 37° C. for sixteen hours. PAGE and Western analysis was performed using an IgG specifically directed against human lactoferrin to detect an increase in mobility of digested samples.

With reference to FIG. 9, recombinant human LF was characterized. Panel A illustrates the deglycosylation of lactoferrin. Western analysis of glycosylated and deglycosylated lactoferrin using a specific polyclonal antibody was directed against human lactoferrin with detection with ¹²⁵ I-protein A. The first panel contains authentic breast milk human LF (500 ng) untreated (-) and treated (+) with N-glycosidase F. The second panel contains purified recombinant human LF (500 ng) untreated (-) and treated (+) with N-glycosidase F. The size of glycosylated human LF is indicated with the arrow. Panel B illustrates a functional analysis of recombinant lactoferrin with regard to iron-binding capacity. Panel A and B show the ⁵⁹ Fe filter binding assay of duplicate samples of authentic breast milk human LF and purified recombinant human LF, respectively, at the concentrations indicated. The first lane in both panels contain BSA (5 μg) as a negative control.

Lactoferrin contains two N-acetyllactamine type glycans attached through N-glycosidic linkages. To determine if recombinant lactoferrin was glycosylated correctly, the protein was treated with N-glycosidase F, resolved on SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis, transferred to nitrocellulose and probed using a specific IgG directed against human lactoferrin (FIG. 11A). N-glycosidase F hydrolyses at the glycosylamine linkage generating a carbohydrate free peptide of smaller molecular weight. Comparison of recombinant LF with purified LF from human milk, illustrates that both proteins co-migrate upon digestion with N-glycosidase F suggesting that the recombinant protein has a glycosylation pattern similar to native LF.

Lactoferrin has a bilobal structure with each lobe having the capacity to bind tightly, but reversibly, one Fe³⁺ ion. The iron-binding properties of lactoferrin are crucial for its functional roles. To test if recombinant human LF expressed and secreted in A. oryzae has an iron binding capacity similar to authentic lactoferrin, an ⁵⁹ Fe micro filter binding assay was developed. Purified human lactoferrin isolated from the growth medium of transformant #1 was dialyzed against 0.1M citric acid (pH 2.0) to generate apo-human LF. Native lactoferrin from human milk was treated similarly. Excess ⁵⁹ Fe (0.2 mCi) was added to these samples in an equal volume of 1M bicarbonate, followed by incubation at 37° C. for 30 minutes. Samples were applied to nitrocellulose membrane and washed several times with bicarbonate. The filter was visualized by autoradiography and Fe-binding was quantitated using a betagon blot analyzer. As illustrated in FIG. 11B, both recombinant and native LF showed a similar level of iron binding at all concentrations tested. The results demonstrate that recombinant human LF is indistinguishable from native human LF in its capacity to bind iron.

With reference to FIG. 2, the complete cDNA sequence for human lactoferrin protein is depicted. The cDNA coding for lactoferrin is used to create plasmids and transform eucaryotic cells and to produce the lactoferrin protein.

Strains of Aspergillus used in the present invention are auxotrophic mutants that contain a defective pry4 gene that results in an inability to synthesis orotidine 5' phosphate (OMP) decarboxylase. The enzyme is required for uridine synthesis. The strain cannot grow on media lacking uridine. The plasmid contains a selectable marker, i.e., a sequence that encodes the gene for OMP decarboxylase. Uptake of the plasmid by the Aspergillus can therefore be selected for by growth on media lacking uridine. The Aspergillus is transformed by the plasmid such that it can grow on the uridine deficient media.

EXAMPLE 10

EXPRESSION OF THE 3' IRON-BINDING DOMAIN OF HUMAN LACTOFERRIN--E. COLI

The 3' iron-binding domain of human lactoferrin (hLF) was expressed in Escherichia coli using the bacterial expression plasmid, PT7-7 as described by Tabor, S. and Richardson, C., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 82:1074-1078 (1985). pGEMhLFc, containing the cDNA for the complete hLF cDNA (Ward, P. P., et al. Gene. 122:219-223 (1992)), was digested with Sma I and Hind III to release a 1.5 kb fragment encoding the 3' iron-binding domain of hLF. This 1.5 kb Sma I/Hind III fragment was subcloned in-frame into Sma I/Hind II digested PT7-7, under the control of the strong inducible T7 promoter, generating PT7-7hLF3'.

PT7-7hLF3' was transformed into a protease deficient strain of E. coli which had previously been transformed with pGP1-2 plasmid which contained the T7 polymerase under the control of the λpL promoter as described by Conneely, O. M., et al. In: Honnone Action and Molecular Endocrinology. 5-48-5-50 (1989)). The PT7-7 plasmid contained an ampicillin resistance gene while the pGP1-2 plasmid contained a kanamycin resistant gene allowing dual antibiotic resistance selection for transformants containing both plasmids. Transformants obtained were cultured overnight in LB broth containing ampicillin (50 μg/ml) and kanamycin (50 μg/ml) at 30° C./250 rpm. Overnight cultures were subcultured into LB (500 ml) containing ampicillin and kanamycin and grown at 30° C./250 rpm until an O.D.₆₀₀ nm of 0.5-0.6 was obtained. At 30° C. the λ repressor bound to the λpL promoter, thus blocking T7 polymerase production. Induction of the recombinant protein was achieved by raising the temperature to 42° C. for one hour to inactivate the λ repressor thus allowing T7 polymerase production. The temperature was lowered to 30° C. for a further two hours, turning off λpL directed transcription and allowing the production of the recombinant protein as the T7 polymerase bound to the T7 promoter to specifically induce expression of the recombinant lactoferrin 3' iron-binding domain.

Western Immunoblot analysis was performed to determine if the 3' iron binding domain was expressed in the bacterial cells under the control of the T7 promoter and to monitor its purification. The cells were harvested at 5000 g and resuspended in 15 ml of PBS (pH 7.4). Total cellular extracts were prepared by sonication for 1 minute on ice. The sonicate was centrifuged at 13,000 g for 40 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant was removed and the pellet was resuspended in 50 ml of denaturation buffer (5M urea, 2 % triton, 5 mM EDTA, 0.01% Tween 20, 50 mM TrisCl, pH 7.5) and centrifuged at 48,000 g for one hour. The supernatant containing the soluble fraction was recovered. Protein concentration was determined using the Bradford reagent according to manufacturers instructions (BioRad, Richmond, Calif.). Protein samples (40 μg) were resolved by SDS-PAGE and transferred to a nitrocellulose filter electrophorectically using the Western Immunoblot procedure. The filter was blocked with Tris-buffered saline (TBS, 0.05M Tris/0.15M NaCl, pH 7.5) containing 2% dried milk, and then incubated for 2 hours in the same with the addition of a specific polyclonal IgG (1 μg/ml) directed against hLF (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). The filter was washed (5×10 min) in TBS/0.05% Nonidet P-40 followed by incubation with 5 μCi of ¹²⁵ I protein A in TBS/2% dried milk. The filter was washed (5∴10 min) in TBS/0.05 % Nonidet P-40, dried and exposed overnight in Kodak XAR5 film at -70° C. The film was developed by autoradiography.

The results of the Western analysis are shown in FIG. 10. An immunoreactive band at the expected size (50 kDa) for the hLF 3' iron-binding domain was evident in the cellular extract from induced cells and was absent in control uninduced cells (FIG. 10, lanes 1 and 2). The hLF 3' iron-binding domain associates with the cellular homogenate insoluble fraction (FIG. 10, lane 3) and hence required a further solubilization step in a denaturation buffer to prepare the hLF in a soluble form (FIG. 10, lane 4).

Analysis of a coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE gel also showed the presence of a 50 kDa protein in the cellular extract from induced cultures which was absent in control uninduced cultures (FIG. 11, lanes 2 and 3). The recombinant protein was expressed at levels up to 10 mg/l and represented approximately 5% of the total cellular protein. The hLF 3' iron-binding domain did not associate with the soluble homogenate fraction (FIG. 11, lane 4) and hence required a further solubilization step in a denaturation buffer to prepare the hLF in a soluble form (FIG. 11, lane 5). Purification and solubilization of the recombinant hLF 3' iron-binding domain resulted in a 50% yield of recoverable protein and represented the major protein band in this fraction.

In summary, we have successfully produced recombinant hLF 3' iron-binding domain in E. coli under the control of the strong inducible T7 promoter. The recombinant protein was expressed and purified in a soluble form from the cellular extracts at levels up to 5 mg/l.

EXAMPLE 12

EXPRESSION AND PURIFICATION OF AN N-TERMINAL LACTOFERRIN FRAGMENT (AA 1-52) IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

An N-terminal human lactoferrin fragment (AA 1-52), encoding the bactericidal domain of hLF, reported by Bellamy et al., supra, was expressed and purified from E. coli. The bovine lactoferrin fragment also reported by Bellamy, et al. is produced by the same method illustrated here for the human fragment. This was achieved using the glutathione S-transferase (GST) Gene Fusion System (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) where the lactoferrin fragment was expressed as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase [Smith, D. S., et al., Gene, 67:31-40 (1988)] and a protease cleavage site allowing production of the bactoricidal domain by cleavage from GST.

A 156 bp human lactoferrin fragment encoding AA 1-52, containing Sma I/BamH I ends was obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of pGEMhLFc plasmid DNA [Ward, P. P., et al., Biotechnology, 10:784-789 (1992)]. The oligonucleotide primers used were as follows:

5' end oligonucleotide as shown in SEQ. ID. NO. 11 CTGCCCGGGCGTAGGAGAAGGAGTGTT

3' end oligonucleotide as shown in SEQ. ID. No. 12 CATGGATCCTGTTTTACGCAATGGCCTGGATACA

This PCR fragment was digested with Sma I and BamH I and repaired using the Klenow Fragment of DNA polymerase I. This fragment was subcloned into BamH I repaired pGEX-3X generating pGEX-3XLFN-1. This fused the lactoferrin cDNA fragment in frame, downstream from the glutathione S-transferase gene and under the control of the strong, inducible tac promoter. All PCR amplified products and construction junctions were sequenced using the commercially available Sequenase version 2.0 kit (United states Biochemical Corp, Cleveland, Ohio).

pGEX-3XLFN-1 was transformed into the bacterial strain, JM109. Transformants obtained were cultured overnight in LB (50 ml) containing ampicillin (50 g/ml) at 37° C./250 rpm. Overnight cultures were subcultured into LB (500 ml) containing ampicillin (50 g/ml) and grown at 37° C./250 rpm until an OD₆₀₀ nm of 0.6-0.8 was obtained. Isopropyl-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) was added to the culture medium at a concentration of 1 mM to turn on the tac promoter resulting in expression of the glutathione S-transferase/LFN-1 fusion protein. Growth under these conditions continued for 4 hours after which the cells were harvested at 5,000 g and resuspended in 5 ml of MTPBS (150 mM NaCl, 16 mM Na₂ HPO₄, 4 mM NaH₂ PO₄, 1% Triton X-100, pH 7.3). Total cellular extracts were prepared by 3×1 minute freeze/thaw cycles followed by mild sonication for 2×1 minute. The sonicate was centrifuged at 13,000 g for 20 minutes and the supernatant obtained was applied to a glutathione sepharose 4B column following manufacturer's instructions (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.). The glutathione S-transferase/LFN-1 fusion protein was eluted from the column using 10 ml of elution buffer (10 mM glutathione, 50 mM Tris pH 8.0). Fractions of 1.5 ml were collected and dialyzed overnight against 50 mM Tris, 15% glycerol pH 8.0.

Samples from the solubilized extracts and the purification fractions were analyzed by SDS/PAGE followed by silver-staining. The results of this analysis are shown in FIG. 12. A band at the expected size (32 kDa) for the glutathione S-transferase/LFN-1 fusion protein was detected in the solubilized protein extracts from induced JM109 cultures transformed with pGEX-3X/LFN-1 and was absent in uninduced cultures (FIG. 12A, lanes 2 and 3). This band migrates at a higher mobility than control induced JM109 cultures transformed with pGEX-3X alone (FIG. 12A, lane 1). The fusion protein was successfully purified to homogeneity over a glutathione sepharose 4B column (FIG. 12B, lanes 1 and 2). Protein concentration determination using the Bradford reagent (BioRad, Richmond, Calif.) showed that the glutathione S-transferase/LFNI fusion protein was purified at levels up to 5 mg/l. The GST fusion protein has a protease cleavage site for the protease Kex II between GST and the 52 amino acid protein.

In summary, a human lactoferrin fragment, encoding a bactericidal domain of this protein, has been successfully expressed as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase an E. coli expression system. This fusion protein was purified to homogeneity at levels up to 5 mg/l. The bactericidal protein is obtained by cleavage with the protease Kex II to cleave the GST portion from the bactericidal domain.

EXAMPLE 13

EXPRESSION OF BOVINE AND PORCINE LACTOFERRIN IN ASPERGILLUS ORYZAE

A universal A. oryzae expression vector is constructed to allow in frame subcloning of any cloned cDNA of interest. This vector, pAG, is similar to the vector pAhLFG(+1) utilized for the expression of human lactoferrin in A. oryzae above. A 680 bp α-amylase fragment encoding the promoter, signal sequence and the alanine residue from the start of the mature -amylase II gene, is obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of pAhLFG(+1). The oligonucleotide primers are as follows:

5' end oligonucleotide, SEQ. ID. NO. 13 5'CGGAATTCATGGTGTTTTGATCATTTT

3' end oligonucleotide, SEQ. ID. NO. 14 5'TGGAATTCGATCGCGGATCCGCAATGCATGCAGCCAAAGCAGGTGCCG CGAC

The 5' end oligonucleotide encodes an EcoR I site and the 3' end oligonucleotide contains an Nsi I site, flanked by a BamH I site. This amplified DNA is digested with EcoR I and BamH I and subcloned into EcoR I/BamH I digested pAhLFG(+1) generating pAG. All PCR amplified products and construction junctions are sequenced using the commercially available Sequenase version 2.0 kit (United States Biochemical Corp., Cleveland, Ohio).

A schematic representation of this expression plasmid is outlined in FIG. 13. Restriction enzyme digestion of this expression plasmid with Nsi I, followed by repair using DNA polymerase I allows subcloning of any cDNA of interest in frame with the α-amylase signal sequence and alanine residue from the start of the mature α-amylase II gene. 5' and 3' oligonucleotide primers are designed to contain Acc 1 ends, and used to obtain the full length cDNA encoding for mature porcine and bovine lactoferrin using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of their known DNA sequence. The PCR fragment thus obtained is digested with Acc I and repaired using the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I for in frame subcloning into Nsi I bluntended pAG. The plasmids are then be transformed into the pyrG- strain of A. oryzae to obtain expression and secretion of these cDNAs as previously described for human lactoferrin.

EXAMPLE 14

EXPRESSION OF HUMAN LACTOFERRIN IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

The complete human lactoferrin (hLF) cDNA was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the yeast expression plasmid, YEP [McDonnell, D. P. et al., J. Steroid Biochem, Molec. Biol., 39:291-297 (1991)]. A 2.2 kb fragment encoding the complete hLF cDNA SEQ. ID No. 1 was generated using the polymerase chain reaction. This fragment contained and XhoI restriction enzyme site at its 5' end and an Asp718 restriction enzyme site at its 3' end. The 2.2 kb fragment was subcloned, in frame, into Xhol/Asp718 digested YEP to yield, YEPLFc.

Transcription of the hLF cDNA was under the control of the copper responsive yeast metallothionein promoter (CUP1). hLF was produced as a ubiquitin fusion protein. The fusion protein is short lived in the yeast cells and is processed to produce unfused protein upon folding.

YEPLFc was transformed into a protease deficient strain of S. cerevisiae, by standard techniques [Ito, H., et al., J. Bacteriol., 153:163-186 (1983).] This strain cannot grow unless the growth medium is supplemented with adenine, uracil and tryptophan. The YEP plasmid contains a tryptophan selectable marker, thus, transformants were selected by tryptophan auxotrophy.

Transformants obtained were cultured overnight in selective medium containing 2% glucose, 0.1% casamino acids, 0.67% yeast nitrogen base, 0.001 % adenine and 0.002% uracil at 30° C./200 rpm. When the cells reached an OD₆₀₀ nm of 1.0, 1×10⁶ cells were inoculated into 10 ml of the selective medium and 100 μm CuSO₄ added. The cells were grown for 24 hours at 30° C./200 rpm. The purpose of adding the CuSO₄ was to induce expression of the hLF cDNA from the copper inducible CUP1 promoter.

Western immunoblot analysis was performed to determine if hLF was expressed in the yeast cells under the control of the CUP1 promoter. The cells were harvested by centrifugation at 5000× g for 5 min. and resuspended in 1 ml of Z buffer (120 mM Na₂ HPO₄ 7H₂ O, 40 mM NaH₂ PO₄ H₂ O, 10 mM KCl, 1 mM MgSO₄ 7H₂ O, 0.27% 2-mercaptoehanol, pH 7.0). Total cellular extracts were prepared by glass bead homogenization. This procedure involved mixing the yeast cells with an equal volume of glass beads (0.5 mm, B. Braun Instruments) and vortexing for 5×1 min. The homogenate was centrifuged at 13,000 g for 10 min. and the supernatant removed. The protein concentration was determined using the Bradford reagent in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions (BioRad, Richmond, Calif.). Protein samples (50 μg) were resolved by SDS-PAGE and electrophoretically transferred, overnight, to a nitrocellulose filter using the western immunoblot procedure. The filter was blocked with tris-buffered saline (TBS=0.05M Tris/0.15M NaCl, pH 7.5) containing 1% dried milk and then incubated overnight, in the same, with the addition of a specific rabbit polyclonal antibody (1 μg/ml) directed against hLF (Signa, St. Louis, Mo.). The filter was washed in TBS/0.1% Tween 20 (5×5 min.) followed by incubation with horseradish peroxidase (Amersham, UK) for 1 hour. The filter was washed in TBS/0.3% Tween 20 (3×5 min.) and then TBS/0.1% Tween 20 (3×5 min.). The filter was then treated with luminol and enhancer (Amersham, UK) for 1 min., dried and exposed for 1 min. to X-ray film. The film was developed by autoradiography.

These data demonstrate successful production of recombinant hLF in S. cerevisiae under the control of the copper inducible (CUP1) promoter.

The results of the western analysis are shown in FIG. 16. An immunoreactive band at the expected size (78 kDa) for hLF was evident in the cellular extract from transformed S. Cerevisiae cells. FIG. 16, lane 1.

EXAMPLE 15

EXPRESSION OF hLF IN ASPERGILLIS NIDULANS

Construction of the Aspergillis Nidulans Expression Plasmid

The plasmid used for expression of hLF cDNA is shown schematically in FIG. 17. The CDNA of SEQ. ID No. 1 as a 2.3-kb clone contained the secretory signal sequence and complete translation frame. The sequence of the entire cDNA was confirmed by dideoxy sequence analysis (Sequenase version 2.0, U.S. Biochemical, Cleveland, Ohio). The cDNA was repaired using the PolIk and subcloned into AccI-digested and blunt-ended pGEM4. The plasmid, pGEMhLF, was digested with HindIII+Asp718 and repaired using PolIk. The resulting 2.3-kb hLF fragment was subcloned into a unique SmaI site located in the multiple cloning cassette of pAL3 downstream from the alcA promoter, Waring, R. B., et al., Gene, 79, 119-130 (1989), generating pAL3hLF. The β-tubulin transcription terminator fragment was obtained by digesting the 3'-untranslated region of the benA gene (nt 2569-2665; May et al., 1987) with XbaI+AheI and subcloned into xbaI-digested pAL3hLF generating pAL3hLFT. This plasmid was used to transform A. nidulans strain GR5 (pyrG89; wa3; pyroA4)

The A. nidulans expression plasmid, pAL3hLFT, contains 300 bp of 55'-flanking sequence of the A. nidulans alcA gene containing all the regulatory elements necessary for controlled gene expression. To construct pALhLFT, a 2.3-kb hLF cDNA fragment containing 17 nucleotides of 5'-UTR, the complete hLF ORF encoding the secretory signal peptide and mature hLF, followed by 209 nt of 3' UTR was subcloned into a unique Smal site in pAL3 downstream from the alcA promoter. A 96-bp terminator fragment from the A. nidulans β-tubulin-encoding (benA) gene was subcloned into a unique XbaI site downstream from the hLF cDNA sequence. The plasmid also contains an Ap^(R) maker and the N. crassa pyr4 selectable marker (Waring et al., supra, 1989).

Transformation and Southern analysis

Transformation was carried out as described by May et al., J. Cell Beol., 109, 2267-2274 (1989). Protoplasts were transformed with 3 μg of the expression plasmid with an efficiency of 40 transformants/μg DNA. Transformats obtained were purified three times through conidial spores. Southern blot analysis was performed to confirm that transformants contained integrated plasmid with hLF cDNA. A hLF-specific radiolabelled band was detected at the expected size (2.3 kb) in lanes 1-10 but not in DNA from control spores. These results demonstrate that hLF cDNA was integrated into the genome of all A. nidulans transformants tested and varied randomly from one copy (transformants Nos. 3, 6 and 10) to 20 copies (No. 5) per cell. The site of integration of the plasmid into the A. nidulans genome is random due to the absence of homologous sequences to target the vector into a particular site.

Southern blot analysis was conducted of transformed A. nidulans. Genomic DNA was isolated from ten individual A. nidulans (GR5) transformats and untransformed spores as described by Rasmussen, C. D. et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265, 13767-13775 (1990). The DNA (1 μg) was digested with EcoRi, size fractionated on a 0.8% agarose gel and transferred to a nitrocellulose filter and hybridized with a radiolabelled hLF cDNA probe (2.1-kb). A sample (20 ng) of hLF cDNA was used as a positive control (hLF cDNA). Prehybridization and hybridization of the filter was performed in 6 x SSC/0.1% SDS/0.5% dried milk at 65° C. for 16 h. The hybridization solution contained 200 ng of ³² p probe (2.1 kb; specific activity 4×10⁸ cpm/μg of DNA). Filters were washed in 2 x SSC/0.5%SDS at 68° C. for 30 min followed by 0.5 xSSC/0.5% SDS at 68° C. for 30 min. The filter was dried and exposed to Kodak X-AR5 film at -70° C. for 30 min and developed by autoadiograpy. The autoradiography showed an intense 2.1 kb band for hLF.

Production of hLF in Aspergillus nidulans

Conidia (1×10⁶ /ml) were cultured in minimal media utilizing 100 mM Na acetate pH 6.5 as carbon source with or without addition of 1.2% ethanol to induce transcription of the hLF cDNA. GR5 was cultured as above except for the addition of 5 mM uridine and 10 mM uracil. Media and mycelia were harvested and separated using Miracloth (Calbiochem, San Diego, Calif.). Mycelia (200 mg) were freeze-dried and lyophilized overnight. Total cellular extracts were prepared by homogenization in a glass teflon homogenizer using 1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; 137 mM NaCI/2.7 mM KCI/4.3 mM Na₂ HPO₄ 7H₂ O/1.4 mM K₂ HPO₄ pH 7.4) in the presence of phenylmethylsulfonylfluorride (PMSF, 10 μg). The homogenate was centrifuged at 12000× g for 30 min at 4° C. and the supernatant containing the soluble fraction was recovered. The growth medium was concentrated by freeze drying and lyophilization and resuspended in 1/30 vol. in PBS pH 7.4. Protein concentration was determined using the Bradford reagent according to manufacturer's instructions (BioRad, Richmond, Calif.). Concentrated media samples containing 40 μg protein and soluble extracts (50 μg protein) were subjected to 0.1% SDS/7% PAGE, Laemmli, U. K., Nature, 227, 680-685 (1970). Purified lactoferrin (250 ng, Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) was used as standard (hLF std). The resolved proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose filters electrophoretically using the Western blot procedure, Towbin, H., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 76, 4350-4354 (1979). Filters were blocked with Tris-buffered saline (TBS, 0.05M Tris/0.15M NaCl pH 7.5) containing 2% dried milk and then incubated by 2 h in the same with the addition of a 1 μg/ml of a specific polyclonal IgG directed against hLF (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). Filter washes (5×10 min) were in TBS/0.05% Nonidet P-40 followed by incubation with 1 μCi of [¹²⁵ I] protein A in BS/2% dried milk. The filter was washed (5×10 min) with TBS/0.05% Nonidet P40, dried and exposed overnight to Kodak XAR5 film at -70° C. The flm was then developed by autoradiography. The autoradiographs demonstrate production of hLF. Western analysis was performed to determine if the hLF cDNA was expressed in the A. nidulans transformats under the control of the alcA promoter.

Conidia (1×10⁶ /ml) from transformat No. 5, which contained the highest number of copies of integrated hLF cDNAs, and from untransformed GR5 were inoculated into minimal medium utilizing glucose as the carbon source. After 18 h, the cultures were harvested, washed and reinoculated into minimal medium supplemented with 1.2% ethanol and grown for an additional 12 or 24 h before harvesting the cultures. Cell extracts and samples of the growth medium were resolved by SDS-PAGE, transferred to nitrocellulose and immunoblotted using a specific polyclonal IgG directed against hLF. An immunoreactive band indistinguishable from native hLF was evident in the cells and growth medium from transformat No. 5 after 12 and 24 h growth only after ethanol induction. Cell extracts or growth medium obtained from untransformed GR5 did not contain an immunoreactive band even after addition of ethanol. These results demonstrate that hLF is expressed in transformed A. nidulans under the control of the alcA promoter.

Western analysis revealed hLF in the cells in all of the remaining transformants. In general there was a correlation between the plasmid copy number and the expression levels obtained. In the medium hLF was detected only with transformats containing multiple copies of integrated expressed plasmid (Nos. 1, 5, 7 and 10).

In order to monitor the levels of hLF produced in the system, a pilot fermentation of transformant No. 5 was carried out using the growth parameters described above. ELISA analysis, Vilja, P., et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 76, 73-83 (1985), using a specific biotinylated IgG directed against hLF demonstrated that the total level of recombinant hLF produced was 5 μg/ml with approx. 30% (1.5-2.0 μg/ml) of this material secreted into the medium.

Iron binding analysis of hLF

To test if recombinant lactoferrin synthesized and secreted in A. nidulans has an iron binding capacity similar to authentic human lactoferrin, samples of the growth medium of transformant No. 5 and untransformed GR5 spores were examined using an ⁵⁹ Fe microfilter-binding assay to detect ⁵⁹ Fe-bound lactoferrin. Iron-binding (⁵⁹ Fe) is detected in the medium from transformant No. 5 but not in the medium from control untransformed GR5 spores. These results indicate that hLF produced in A. nidulans is biologically active in its capacity to bind ⁵⁹ Fe.

The data demonstrate the successful production of biologically active hLF in A. nidulans. The levels of hLF produced in A. nidulans were approx. 5 μg/ml with 30% of the hFL secreted into the growth medium. The secreted hLF was identical to native breast milk LF with regard to size and immunoreactivity. Furthermore, the hLF was capable of binding iron. Although hLF has been reported to contain anti-fungal properties, neither the re-hLF nor native hLF when added to the growth medium, retarded the growth of this strain of A. nidulans. The production of biologically active hLF in A. nidulans will facilitate testing of possible nutritional and therapeutic uses of this protein.

EXAMPLE 16

PRODUCTION OF DNA SEQUENCE SUBSTITUTION ANALOGS

FIG. 18 shows the restriction enzyme cleavage sites in the SEQ I.D. No. 1 cDNA for cleavage by various endonucleases. Table 2 lists the alternative codons that code for the 20 common amino acids. DNA sequence substitution analogs that also code for human lactoferrin can be constructed by choosing alternate codons from Table 2 to alter the DNA Sequence between a pair of cleavage sites selected from FIG. 18. Alternative codons are assembled into a synthetic oligonucleotide by conventional methods and the synthetic oligo is substituted into the endonuclease treated DNA of Sequence ID. No. 1 by the methods described in "Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual", 2d Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989), to produce a substitution analog. Other methods generally known to those skilled in the art can also be employed to obtain substitution analogs of DNA sequences. The alteration of the DNA by cleavage and codon substitution maybe repeated to substitute substantial portions of the original DNA sequence with alternative codons without altering the protein expressed by the DNA of Sequence ID. No. 1. The same methods can of course be used to make substitution analogs of the cDNA of SEQ ID No. 3 and 5. Alteration of a DNA sequence which produces no change in the protein expressed by the DNA sequence might, for example, be conducted to increase protein expression in a particular host cell by increasing the occurrence of codons that correspond to amino acid tRNAs found in higher concentration in the host cell. Such altered DNA sequences for substitution analogs can be easily produced by those of ordinary skill in the art following the method set out above, or other alternative techniques for altering the DNA sequence while obtaining the same protein on expression. Substitution analogs can be obtained by substitution of oligonucleotides at restriction cleavage sites as described above, or by other equivalent methods that change the codons while preserving the amino acid sequence of the expressed protein.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         AMINO ACID         CODONS                                                      ______________________________________                                         Phe                TTT                                                                            TCC                                                         Leu                TTA                                                                            TTG                                                                            CTT                                                                            CTC                                                                            CTA                                                                            CTG                                                         Ile                ATT                                                                            ATC                                                                            ATA                                                         Met                ATG                                                         Val                GTT                                                                            GTC                                                                            GTA                                                                            GTG                                                         Ser                TCT                                                                            TCC                                                                            TCA                                                                            TCG                                                                            AGT                                                                            AGC                                                         Pro                CCT                                                                            CCC                                                                            CCA                                                                            CCG                                                         Thr                ACT                                                                            ACC                                                                            ACA                                                                            ACG                                                         Ala                GCT                                                                            GCC                                                                            GCA                                                                            GCG                                                         Tyr                TAT                                                                            TAC                                                         Gly                GGT                                                                            GGC                                                                            GGA                                                                            GGG                                                         His                CAT                                                                            CAC                                                         Gln                CAA                                                                            CAG                                                         Asn                AT                                                                             AAC                                                         Lys                AAA                                                                            AAG                                                         Asp                GAT                                                                            GAC                                                         Glu                GAA                                                                            GAG                                                         Cys                TGT                                                                            TGC                                                         Trp                TGG                                                         Arg                CGT                                                                            CGC                                                                            CGA                                                                            CGG                                                                            AGA                                                                            AGG                                                         TERMINATION SIGNALS                                                                               TAA                                                                            TAG                                                                            TGA                                                         ______________________________________                                    

In conclusion, it is seen that the present invention and the embodiments disclosed herein are well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the end set forth in this application. Certain changes can be made in the method and apparatus without parting from the spirit and scopes of this invention. It is realized that changes are possible and that it is further intended that each element or step presided in any of the filing claims is to be understood as to referring to all equivalent elements or steps for accomplishing the essentially the same results in substantially the same or equivalent manner. It is intended to cover the invention broadly in whatever form its principles may be utilized. The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein.

    __________________________________________________________________________     #             SEQUENCE LISTING                                                 - (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:                                                     -    (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 14                                             - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1:                                             -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 2360 base                                                          (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      -     (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                              (A) ORGANISM: H. sapien - #s                                         #ID NO:1: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       - GAATTCCGAC CGCAGACATG AAACTTGTCT TCCTCGTCCT GCTGTTCCTC GG - #GGCCCTCG          60                                                                           - GACTGTGTCT GGCTGGCCGT AGGAGAAGGA GTGTTCAGTG GTGCACCGTA TC - #CCAACCCG         120                                                                           - AGGCCACAAA ATGCTTCCAA TGGCAAAGGA ATATGAGAAG AGTGCGTGGC CC - #TCCTGTCA         180                                                                           - GCTGCATAAA GAGAGACTCC CCCATCCAGT GTATCCAGGC CATTGCGGAA AA - #CAGGGCCG         240                                                                           - ATGCTGTGAC CCTTGATGGT GGTTTCATAT ACGAGGCAGG CCTGGCCCCC TA - #CAAACTGC         300                                                                           - GACCTGTAGC GGCGGAAGTC TACGGGACCG AAAGACAGCC ACGAACTCAC TA - #TTATGCCG         360                                                                           - TGGCTGTGGT GAAGAAGGGC GGCAGCTTTC AGCTGAACGA ACTGCAAGGT CT - #GAAGTCCT         420                                                                           - GCCACACAGG CCTTCGCAGG ACCGCTGGAT GGAATGTGCC TATAGGGACA CT - #TCGTCCAT         480                                                                           - TCTTGAATTG GACGGGTCCA CCTGAGCCCA TTGAGGCAGC TGTGGCCAGG TT - #CTTCTCAG         540                                                                           - CCAGCTGTGT TCCCGGTGCA GATAAAGGAC AGTTCCCCAA CCTGTGTCGC CT - #GTGTGCGG         600                                                                           - GGACAGGGGA AAACAAATGT GCCTTCTCCT CCCAGGAACC GTACTTCAGC TA - #CTCTGGTG         660                                                                           - CCTTCAAGTG TCTGAGAGAC GGGGCTGGAG ACGTGGCTTT TATCAGAGAG AG - #CACAGTGT         720                                                                           - TTGAGGACCT GTCAGACGAG GCTGAAAGGG ACGAGTATGA GTTACTCTGC CC - #AGACAACA         780                                                                           - CTCGGAAGCC AGTGGACAAG TTCAAAGACT GCCATCTGGC CCGGGTCCCT TC - #TCATGCCG         840                                                                           - TTGTGGCACG AAGTGTGAAT GGCAAGGAGG ATGCCATCTG GAATCTTCTC CG - #CCAGGCAC         900                                                                           - AGGAAAAGTT TGGAAAGGAC AAGTCACCGA AATTCCAGCT CTTTGGCTCC CC - #TAGTGGGC         960                                                                           - AGAAAGATCT GCTGTTCAAG GACTCTGCCA TTGGGTTTTC GAGGGTGCCC CC - #GAGGATAG        1020                                                                           - ATTCTGGGCT GTACCTTGGC TCCGGCTACT TCACTGCCAT CCAGAACTTG AG - #GAAAAGTG        1080                                                                           - AGGAGGAAGT GGCTGCCCGG CGTGCGCGGG TCGTGTGGTG TGCGGTGGGC GA - #GCAGGAGC        1140                                                                           - TGCGCAAGTG TAACCAGTGG AGTGGCTTGA GCGAAGGCAG CGTGACCTGC TC - #CTCGGCCT        1200                                                                           - CCACCACAGA GGACTGCATC GCCCTGGTGC TGAAAGGAGA AGCTGATGCC AT - #GAGTTTGG        1260                                                                           - ATGGAGGATA TGTGTACACT GCAGGCAAAT GTGGTTTGGT GCCTGTCCTG GC - #AGAGAACT        1320                                                                           - ACAAATCCCA ACAAAGCAGT GACCCTGATC CTAACTGTGT GGATAGACCT GT - #GGAAGGAT        1380                                                                           - ATCTTGCTGT GGCGGTGGTT AGGAGATCAG ACACTAGCCT TACCTGGAAC TC - #TGTGAAAG        1440                                                                           - GCAAGAAGTC CTGCCACACC GCCGTGGACA GGACTGCAGG CTGGAATATC CC - #CATGGGCC        1500                                                                           - TGCTCTTCAA CCAGACGGGC TCCTGCAAAT TTGATGAATA TTTCAGTCAA AG - #CTGTGCCC        1560                                                                           - CTGGGTCTGA CCCGAGATCT AATCTCTGTG CTCTGTGTAT TGGCGACGAG CA - #GGGTGAGA        1620                                                                           - ATAAGTGCGT GCCCAACAGC AATGAGAGAT ACTACGGCTA CACTGGGGCT TT - #CCGGTGCC        1680                                                                           - TGGCTGAGAA TGCTGGAGAC GTTGCATTTG TGAAAGATGT CACTGTCTTG CA - #GAACACTG        1740                                                                           - ATGGAAATAA CAATGAGGCA TGGGCTAAGG ATTTGAAGCT GGCAGACTTT GC - #GCTGCTGT        1800                                                                           - GCCTCGATGG CAAACGGAAG CCTGTGACTG AGGCTAGAAG CTGCCATCTT GC - #CATGGCCC        1860                                                                           - CGAATCATGC CGTGGTGTCT CGGATGGATA AGGTGGAACG CCTGAAACAG GT - #GCTGCTCC        1920                                                                           - ACCAACAGGC TAAATTTGGG AGAAATGGAT CTGACTGCCC GGACAAGTTT TG - #CTTATTCC        1980                                                                           - AGTCTGAAAC CAAAAACCTT CTGTTCAATG ACAACACTGA GTGTCTGGCC AG - #ACTCCATG        2040                                                                           - GCAAAACAAC ATATGAAAAA TATTTGGGAC CACAGTATGT CGCAGGCATT AC - #TAATCTGA        2100                                                                           - AAAAGTGCTC AACCTCCCCC CTCCTGGAAG CCTGTGAATT CCTCAGGAAG TA - #AAACCGAA        2160                                                                           - GAAGATGGCC CAGCTCCCCA AGAAAGCCTC AGCCATTCAC TGCCCCCAGC TC - #TTCTCCCC        2220                                                                           - AGGTGTGTTG GGGCCTTGGC TCCCCTGCTG AAGGTGGGGA TTGCCCATCC AT - #CTGCTTAC        2280                                                                           - AATTCCCTGC TGTCGTCTTA GCAAGAAGTA AAATGAGAAA TTTTGTTGAA AA - #AAAAAAAA        2340                                                                           #                 236 - #0                                                     - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:                                             -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #acids    (A) LENGTH: 711 amino                                                          (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                              -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: YES                                                   -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      -     (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                              (A) ORGANISM: H. sapien - #s                                         #ID NO:2: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       -      Met Lys Leu Val Phe Leu Val Leu - # Leu Phe Leu Gly Ala Leu Gly         Leu                                                                            #   15                                                                         -      Cys Leu Ala Gly Arg Arg Arg Arg - # Ser Val Gln Trp Cys Thr Val         Ser                                                                            #                 30                                                           -      Gln Pro Glu Ala Thr Lys Cys Phe - # Gln Trp Gln Arg Asn Met Arg         Arg                                                                            #             45                                                               -      Val Arg Gly Pro Pro Val Ser Cys - # Ile Lys Arg Asp Ser Pro Ile         Gln                                                                            #         60                                                                   -      Cys Ile Gln Ala Ile Ala Glu Asn - # Arg Ala Asp Ala Val Thr Leu         Asp                                                                            #     80                                                                       -      Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Glu Ala Gly - # Leu Ala Pro Tyr Lys Leu Arg         Pro                                                                            #   95                                                                         -      Val Ala Ala Glu Val Tyr Gly Thr - # Glu Arg Gln Pro Arg Thr His         Tyr                                                                            #                110                                                           -      Tyr Ala Val Ala Val Val Lys Lys - # Gly Gly Ser Phe Gln Leu Asn         Glu                                                                            #            125                                                               -      Leu Gln Gly Leu Lys Ser Cys His - # Thr Gly Leu Arg Arg Thr Ala         Gly                                                                            #        140                                                                   -      Trp Asn Val Pro Ile Gly Thr Leu - # Arg Pro Phe Leu Asn Trp Thr         Gly                                                                            #    160                                                                       -      Pro Pro Glu Pro Ile Glu Ala Ala - # Val Ala Arg Phe Phe Ser Ala         Ser                                                                            #   175                                                                        -      Cys Val Pro Gly Ala Asp Lys Gly - # Gln Phe Pro Asn Leu Cys Arg         Leu                                                                            #                190                                                           -      Cys Ala Gly Thr Gly Glu Asn Lys - # Cys Ala Phe Ser Ser Gln Glu         Pro                                                                            #            205                                                               -      Tyr Phe Ser Tyr Ser Gly Ala Phe - # Lys Cys Leu Arg Asp Gly Ala         Gly                                                                            #        220                                                                   -      Asp Val Ala Phe Ile Arg Glu Ser - # Thr Val Phe Glu Asp Leu Ser         Asp                                                                            #    240                                                                       -      Glu Ala Glu Arg Asp Glu Tyr Glu - # Leu Leu Cys Pro Asp Asn Thr         Arg                                                                            #   255                                                                        -      Lys Pro Val Asp Lys Phe Lys Asp - # Cys His Leu Ala Arg Val Pro         Ser                                                                            #                270                                                           -      His Ala Val Val Ala Arg Ser Val - # Asn Gly Lys Glu Asp Ala Ile         Trp                                                                            #            285                                                               -      Asn Leu Leu Arg Gln Ala Gln Glu - # Lys Phe Gly Lys Asp Lys Ser         Pro                                                                            #        300                                                                   -      Lys Phe Gln Leu Phe Gly Ser Pro - # Ser Gly Gln Lys Asp Leu Leu         Phe                                                                            #    320                                                                       -      Lys Asp Ser Ala Ile Gly Phe Ser - # Arg Val Pro Pro Arg Ile Asp         Ser                                                                            #   335                                                                        -      Gly Leu Tyr Leu Gly Ser Gly Tyr - # Phe Thr Ala Ile Gln Asn Leu         Arg                                                                            #                350                                                           -      Lys Ser Glu Glu Glu Val Ala Ala - # Arg Arg Ala Arg Val Val Trp         Cys                                                                            #            365                                                               -      Ala Val Gly Glu Gln Glu Leu Arg - # Lys Cys Asn Gln Trp Ser Gly         Leu                                                                            #        380                                                                   -      Ser Glu Gly Ser Val Thr Cys Ser - # Ser Ala Ser Thr Thr Glu Asp         Cys                                                                            #    400                                                                       -      Ile Ala Leu Val Leu Lys Gly Glu - # Ala Asp Ala Met Ser Leu Asp         Gly                                                                            #   415                                                                        -      Gly Tyr Val Tyr Thr Ala Gly Lys - # Cys Gly Leu Val Pro Val Leu         Ala                                                                            #                430                                                           -      Glu Asn Tyr Lys Ser Gln Gln Ser - # Ser Asp Pro Asp Pro Asn Cys         Val                                                                            #            445                                                               -      Asp Arg Pro Val Glu Gly Tyr Leu - # Ala Val Ala Val Val Arg Arg         Ser                                                                            #        460                                                                   -      Asp Thr Ser Leu Thr Trp Asn Ser - # Val Lys Gly Lys Lys Ser Cys         His                                                                            #    480                                                                       -      Thr Ala Val Asp Arg Thr Ala Gly - # Trp Asn Ile Pro Met Gly Leu         Leu                                                                            #   495                                                                        -      Phe Asn Gln Thr Gly Ser Cys Lys - # Phe Asp Glu Tyr Phe Ser Gln         Ser                                                                            #                510                                                           -      Cys Ala Pro Gly Ser Asp Pro Arg - # Ser Asn Leu Cys Ala Leu Cys         Ile                                                                            #            525                                                               -      Gly Asp Glu Gln Gly Glu Asn Lys - # Cys Val Pro Asn Ser Asn Glu         Arg                                                                            #        540                                                                   -      Tyr Tyr Gly Tyr Thr Gly Ala Phe - # Arg Cys Leu Ala Glu Asn Ala         Gly                                                                            #    560                                                                       -      Asp Val Ala Phe Val Lys Asp Val - # Thr Val Leu Gln Asn Thr Asp         Gly                                                                            #   575                                                                        -      Asn Asn Asn Glu Ala Trp Ala Lys - # Asp Leu Lys Leu Ala Asp Phe         Ala                                                                            #                590                                                           -      Leu Leu Cys Leu Asp Gly Lys Arg - # Lys Pro Val Thr Glu Ala Arg         Ser                                                                            #            605                                                               -      Cys His Leu Ala Met Ala Pro Asn - # His Ala Val Val Ser Arg Met         Asp                                                                            #        620                                                                   -      Lys Val Glu Arg Leu Lys Gln Val - # Leu Leu His Gln Gln Ala Lys         Phe                                                                            #    640                                                                       -      Gly Arg Asn Gly Ser Asp Cys Pro - # Asp Lys Phe Cys Leu Phe Gln         Ser                                                                            #   655                                                                        -      Glu Thr Lys Asn Leu Leu Phe Asn - # Asp Asn Thr Glu Cys Leu Ala         Arg                                                                            #                670                                                           -      Leu His Gly Lys Thr Thr Tyr Glu - # Lys Tyr Leu Gly Pro Gln Tyr         Val                                                                            #            685                                                               -      Ala Gly Ile Thr Asn Leu Lys Lys - # Cys Ser Thr Ser Pro Leu Leu         Glu                                                                            #        700                                                                   -      Ala Cys Glu Phe Leu Arg Lys                                             #    710                                                                       - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:                                             -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 2347 base                                                          (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      -     (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                              (A) ORGANISM: Bos tauru - #s                                         #ID NO:3: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       - GAGCCTTCGT TCCGGAGTCG CCCCAGGACG CCAGCCCATG AAGCTCTTCG TC - #CCCGCCCT          60                                                                           - CCTGTCCCTT GGAGCCCTTG GACTGTGTCT GGCTGCCCCG AGGAAAAACG TT - #CGATGGTG         120                                                                           - TACCATCTCC CAACCTGAGT GGTTCAAATG CCGCAGATGG CAGTGGAGGA TG - #AAGAAGCT         180                                                                           - GGGTGCTCCC TCTATCACCT GTGTGAGGCG GGCCTTTGCC TTGGAATGTA TT - #CCGGGCAT         240                                                                           - CGCGGAGAAA AAGGCGGATG CTGTGACCCT GGATGGTGGC ATGGTGTTTG AG - #GCGGGCCG         300                                                                           - GGACCCCTAC AAACTGCGGC CAGTAGCAGC AGAGATCTAT GGGACGAAAG AG - #TCTCCCCA         360                                                                           - AACCCACTAT TATGCTGTGG CCGTCGTGAA GAAGGGCAGC AACTTTCAGC TG - #GACCAGCT         420                                                                           - GCAAGGCCGG AAGTCCTGCC ATACGGGCCT TGGCAGGTCC GCTGGGTGGA TC - #ATCCCTAT         480                                                                           - GGGAATCCTT CGCCCGTACT TGAGCTGGAC AGAGTCACTC GAGCCCCTCC AG - #GGAGCTGT         540                                                                           - GGCTAAATTC TTCTCTGCCA GCTGTGTTCC CTGCATTGAT AGACAAGCAT AC - #CCCAACCT         600                                                                           - GTGTCAACTG TGCAAGGGGG AGGGGGAGAA CCAGTGTGCC TGCTCCTCCC GG - #GAACCATA         660                                                                           - CTTCGGTTAT TCTGGTGCCT TCAAGTGTCT GCAGGACGGG GCTGGAGACG TG - #GCTTTTGT         720                                                                           - TAAAGAGACG ACAGTGTTTG AGAACTTGCC AGAGAAGGCT GACAGGGACC AG - #TATGAGCT         780                                                                           - TCTCTGCCTG AACAACAGTC GGGCGCCAGT GGATGCGTTC AAGGAGTGCC AC - #CTGGCCCA         840                                                                           - GGTCCCTTCT CATGCTGTCG TGGCCCGAAG TGTGGATGGC AAGGAAGACT TG - #ATCTGGAA         900                                                                           - GCTTCTCAGC AAGGCGCAGG AGAAATCTGG AAAAAACAAG TCTCGGAGCT TC - #CAGCTCTT         960                                                                           - TGGCTCTCCA CCCGGCCAGA GGGACCTGCT GTTCAAAGAC TCTGCTCTTG GG - #TTTTTGAG        1020                                                                           - GATCCCCTCG AAGGTAGATT CGGCGCTGTA CCTGGGCTCC CGCTACTTGA CC - #ACCTTGAA        1080                                                                           - GAACCTCAGG GAAACTGCGG AGGAGGTGAA GGCGCGGTAC ACCAGGGTCG TG - #TGGTGTGC        1140                                                                           - CGTGGGACCT GAGGAGCAGA AGAAGTGCCA GCAGTGGAGC CAGCAGAGCG GC - #CAGAACGT        1200                                                                           - GACCTGTGCC ACGGCGTCCA CCACTGACGA CTGCATCGTC CTGGTGCTGA AA - #GGGGAAGC        1260                                                                           - AGATGCCCTG AACTTGGATG GAGGATATAT CTACACTGCG GGCAAGTGTG GC - #CTGGTGCC        1320                                                                           - TGTCCTGGCA GAGAACCGGA AATCCTCCAA ACACAGTAGC CTAGATTGTG TG - #CTGAGACC        1380                                                                           - AACGGAAGGG TACCTTGCCG TGGCAGTTGT CAAGAAAGCA AATGAGGGGC TC - #ACATGGAA        1440                                                                           - TTCTCTGAAA GACAAGAAGT CGTGCCACAC CGCCGTGGAC AGGACTGCAG GC - #TGGAACAT        1500                                                                           - CCCCATGGGC CTGATCGTCA ACCAGACAGG CTCCTGCGCA TTTGATGAAT TC - #TTTAGTCA        1560                                                                           - GAGCTGTGCC CCTGGGGCTG ACCCGAAATC CAGACTCTGT GCCTTGTGTG CT - #GGCGATGA        1620                                                                           - CCAGGGCCTG GACAAGTGTG TGCCCAACTC TAAGGAGAAG TACTATGGCT AT - #ACCGGGGC        1680                                                                           - TTTCAGGTGC CTGGCTGAGG ACGTTGGGGA CGTTGCCTTT GTGAAAAACG AC - #ACAGTCTG        1740                                                                           - GGAGAACACG AATGGAGAGA GCACTGCAGA CTGGGCTAAG AACTTGAATC GT - #GAGGACTT        1800                                                                           - CAGGTTGCTC TGCCTCGATG GCACCAGGAA GCCTGTGACG GAGGCTCAGA GC - #TGCCACCT        1860                                                                           - GGCGGTGGCC CCGAATCACG CTGTGGTGTC TCGGAGCGAT AGGGCAGCAC AC - #GTGAAACA        1920                                                                           - GGTGCTGCTC CACCAGCAGG CTCTGTTTGG GAAAAATGGA AAAAACTGCC CG - #GACAAGTT        1980                                                                           - TTGTTTGTTC AAATCTGAAA CCAAAAACCT TCTGTTCAAT GACAACACTG AG - #TGTCTGGC        2040                                                                           - CAAACTTGGA GGCAGACCAA CGTATGAAGA ATATTTGGGG ACAGAGTATG TC - #ACGGCCAT        2100                                                                           - TGCCAACCTG AAAAAATGCT CAACCTCCCC GCTTCTGGAA GCCTGCGCCT TC - #CTGACGAG        2160                                                                           - GTAAAGCCTG CAAAGAAGCT AGCCTGCCTC CCTGGGCCTC AGCTCCTCCC TG - #CTCTCAGC        2220                                                                           - CCCAATCTCC AGGCGCGAGG GACCTTCCTC TCCCTTCCTG AAGTCGGATT TT - #TGCCAAGC        2280                                                                           - TCATCAGTAT TTACAATTCC CTGCTGTCAT TTTAGCAAGA AATAAAATTA GA - #AATGCTGT        2340                                                                           #        2347                                                                  - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:                                             -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #acids    (A) LENGTH: 708 amino                                                          (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                              -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: YES                                                   -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      -     (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                              (A) ORGANISM: Bos tauru - #s                                         #ID NO:4: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       -      Met Lys Leu Phe Val Pro Ala Leu - # Leu Ser Leu Gly Ala Leu Gly         Leu                                                                            #   15                                                                         -      Cys Leu Ala Ala Pro Arg Lys Asn - # Val Arg Trp Cys Thr Ile Ser         Gln                                                                            #                 30                                                           -      Pro Glu Trp Phe Lys Cys Arg Arg - # Trp Gln Trp Arg Met Lys Lys         Leu                                                                            #             45                                                               -      Gly Ala Pro Ser Ile Thr Cys Val - # Arg Arg Ala Phe Ala Leu Glu         Cys                                                                            #         60                                                                   -      Ile Pro Gly Ile Ala Glu Lys Lys - # Ala Asp Ala Val Thr Leu Asp         Gly                                                                            #     80                                                                       -      Gly Met Val Phe Glu Ala Gly Arg - # Asp Pro Tyr Lys Leu Arg Pro         Val                                                                            #   95                                                                         -      Ala Ala Glu Ile Tyr Gly Thr Lys - # Glu Ser Pro Gln Thr His Tyr         Tyr                                                                            #                110                                                           -      Ala Val Ala Val Val Lys Lys Gly - # Ser Asn Phe Gln Leu Asp Gln         Leu                                                                            #            125                                                               -      Gln Gly Arg Lys Ser Cys His Thr - # Gly Leu Gly Arg Ser Ala Gly         Trp                                                                            #        140                                                                   -      Ile Ile Pro Met Gly Ile Leu Arg - # Pro Tyr Leu Ser Trp Thr Glu         Ser                                                                            #    160                                                                       -      Leu Glu Pro Leu Gln Gly Ala Val - # Ala Lys Phe Phe Ser Ala Ser         Cys                                                                            #   175                                                                        -      Val Pro Cys Ile Asp Arg Gln Ala - # Tyr Pro Asn Leu Cys Gln Leu         Cys                                                                            #                190                                                           -      Lys Gly Glu Gly Glu Asn Gln Cys - # Ala Cys Ser Ser Arg Glu Pro         Tyr                                                                            #            205                                                               -      Phe Gly Tyr Ser Gly Ala Phe Lys - # Cys Leu Gln Asp Gly Ala Gly         Asp                                                                            #        220                                                                   -      Val Ala Phe Val Lys Glu Thr Thr - # Val Phe Glu Asn Leu Pro Glu         Lys                                                                            #    240                                                                       -      Ala Asp Arg Asp Gln Tyr Glu Leu - # Leu Cys Leu Asn Asn Ser Arg         Ala                                                                            #   255                                                                        -      Pro Val Asp Ala Phe Lys Glu Cys - # His Leu Ala Gln Val Pro Ser         His                                                                            #                270                                                           -      Ala Val Val Ala Arg Ser Val Asp - # Gly Lys Glu Asp Leu Ile Trp         Lys                                                                            #            285                                                               -      Leu Leu Ser Lys Ala Gln Glu Lys - # Ser Gly Lys Asn Lys Ser Arg         Ser                                                                            #        300                                                                   -      Phe Gln Leu Phe Gly Ser Pro Pro - # Gly Gln Arg Asp Leu Leu Phe         Lys                                                                            #    320                                                                       -      Asp Ser Ala Leu Gly Phe Leu Arg - # Ile Pro Ser Lys Val Asp Ser         Ala                                                                            #   335                                                                        -      Leu Tyr Leu Gly Ser Arg Tyr Leu - # Thr Thr Leu Lys Asn Leu Arg         Glu                                                                            #                350                                                           -      Thr Ala Glu Glu Val Lys Ala Arg - # Tyr Thr Arg Val Val Trp Cys         Ala                                                                            #            365                                                               -      Val Gly Pro Glu Glu Gln Lys Lys - # Cys Gln Gln Trp Ser Gln Gln         Ser                                                                            #        380                                                                   -      Gly Gln Asn Val Thr Cys Ala Thr - # Ala Ser Thr Thr Asp Asp Cys         Ile                                                                            #    400                                                                       -      Val Leu Val Leu Lys Gly Glu Ala - # Asp Ala Leu Asn Leu Asp Gly         Gly                                                                            #   415                                                                        -      Tyr Ile Tyr Thr Ala Gly Lys Cys - # Gly Leu Val Pro Val Leu Ala         Glu                                                                            #                430                                                           -      Asn Arg Lys Ser Ser Lys His Ser - # Ser Leu Asp Cys Val Leu Arg         Pro                                                                            #            445                                                               -      Thr Glu Gly Tyr Leu Ala Val Ala - # Val Val Lys Lys Ala Asn Glu         Gly                                                                            #        460                                                                   -      Leu Thr Trp Asn Ser Leu Lys Asp - # Lys Lys Ser Cys His Thr Ala         Val                                                                            #    480                                                                       -      Asp Arg Thr Ala Gly Trp Asn Ile - # Pro Met Gly Leu Ile Val Asn         Gln                                                                            #   495                                                                        -      Thr Gly Ser Cys Ala Phe Asp Glu - # Phe Phe Ser Gln Ser Cys Ala         Pro                                                                            #                510                                                           -      Gly Ala Asp Pro Lys Ser Arg Leu - # Cys Ala Leu Cys Ala Gly Asp         Asp                                                                            #            525                                                               -      Gln Gly Leu Asp Lys Cys Val Pro - # Asn Ser Lys Glu Lys Tyr Tyr         Gly                                                                            #        540                                                                   -      Tyr Thr Gly Ala Phe Arg Cys Leu - # Ala Glu Asp Val Gly Asp Val         Ala                                                                            #    560                                                                       -      Phe Val Lys Asn Asp Thr Val Trp - # Glu Asn Thr Asn Gly Glu Ser         Thr                                                                            #   575                                                                        -      Ala Asp Trp Ala Lys Asn Leu Asn - # Arg Glu Asp Phe Arg Leu Leu         Cys                                                                            #                590                                                           -      Leu Asp Gly Thr Arg Lys Pro Val - # Thr Glu Ala Gln Ser Cys His         Leu                                                                            #            605                                                               -      Ala Val Ala Pro Asn His Ala Val - # Val Ser Arg Ser Asp Arg Ala         Ala                                                                            #        620                                                                   -      His Val Lys Gln Val Leu Leu His - # Gln Gln Ala Leu Phe Gly Lys         Asn                                                                            #    640                                                                       -      Gly Lys Asn Cys Pro Asp Lys Phe - # Cys Leu Phe Lys Ser Glu Thr         Lys                                                                            #   655                                                                        -      Asn Leu Leu Phe Asn Asp Asn Thr - # Glu Cys Leu Ala Lys Leu Gly         Gly                                                                            #                670                                                           -      Arg Pro Thr Tyr Glu Glu Tyr Leu - # Gly Thr Glu Tyr Val Thr Ala         Ile                                                                            #            685                                                               -      Ala Asn Leu Lys Lys Cys Ser Thr - # Ser Pro Leu Leu Glu Ala Cys         Ala                                                                            #        700                                                                   -      Phe Leu Thr Arg                                                              705                                                                       - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:                                             -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 2259 base                                                          (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: cDNA                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      -     (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                              (A) ORGANISM: Sus scrof - #a                                         #ID NO:5: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       - ACATGAAGCT CTTCATCCCC GCCCTGCTGT TCCTCGGGAC ACTTGGACTG TG - #TCTGGCTG          60                                                                           - CCCCTAAGAA AGGGGTTCGA TGGTGTGTCA TATCCACAGC AGAGTATTCA AA - #ATGCCGCC         120                                                                           - AGTGGCAATC AAAGATAAGA AGAACTAATC CCATGTTCTG CATAAGGAGG GC - #TTCTCCCA         180                                                                           - CTGACTGTAT CCGGGCCATC GCGGCAAAAA GGGCAGATGC TGTGACCCTT GA - #TGGTGGTT         240                                                                           - TGGTGTTTGA AGCAGACCAG TACAAACTGC GGCCGGTAGC AGCGGAGATC TA - #CGGGACAG         300                                                                           - AAGAGAATCC CCAAACCTAC TATTATGCTG TGGCTGTAGT GAAGAAAGGT TT - #CAACTTTC         360                                                                           - AGAACCAGCT ACAAGGTCGA AAGTCCTGCC ACACAGGCCT TGGCAGGTCT GC - #CGGGTGGA         420                                                                           - ATATCCCTAT AGGGTTACTT CGCCGGTTCT TGGACTGGGC AGGGCCACCT GA - #GCCCCTCC         480                                                                           - AGAAAGCTGT GGCCAAATTC TTCTCTCAGA GCTGTGTGCC CTGCGCAGAT GG - #AAATGCGT         540                                                                           - ATCCCAACCT GTGTCAGCTG TGCATAGGGA AAGGGAAAGA TAAATGTGCT TG - #TTCCTCCC         600                                                                           - AGGAACCGTA TTTTGGCTAT TCCGGTGCCT TCAACTGTCT GCACAAAGGG AT - #TGGAGATG         660                                                                           - TGGCTTTTGT CAAGGAGAGT ACAGTGTTTG AGAACCTGCC ACAGAAGGCT GA - #CCGGGACA         720                                                                           - AATACGAGCT ACTCTGCCCA GACAATACTC GAAAGCCAGT GGAAGCATTC AG - #GGAGTGCC         780                                                                           - ACCTTGCCCG GGTCCCTTCT CATGCTGTTG TGGCCCGAAG TGTGAATGGC AA - #GGAGAACT         840                                                                           - CCATCTGGGA GCTTCTCTAC CAGTCACAGA AAAAGTTTGG AAAAAGCAAT CC - #ACAGGAGT         900                                                                           - TCCAGCTCTT TGGCTCTCCT GGTCAGCAGA AGGACCTCCT GTTTAGAGAT GC - #TACCATCG         960                                                                           - GGTTTTTGAA GATCCCCTCA AAGATAGATT CTAAGCTGTA CCTGGGCCTC CC - #GTACCTTA        1020                                                                           - CTGCCATCCA GGGCCTGAGG GAAACGGCAG CGGAGGTGGA GGCGCGGCAG GC - #GAAGGTCG        1080                                                                           - TGTGGTGCGC CGTGGGTCCA GAGGAGCTGC GCAAGTGCCG GCAGTGGAGC AG - #CCAGAGCA        1140                                                                           - GCCAGAACCT GAACTGCAGC CTGGCCTCCA CCACCGAGGA CTGCATCGTC CA - #GGTGCTGA        1200                                                                           - AAGGAGAAGC TGATGCTATG AGCTTGGATG GAGGATTTAT CTACACTGCG GG - #CAAGTGTG        1260                                                                           - GTTTGGTGCC TGTCCTGGCA GAGAACCAAA AATCTCGCCA AAGCAGTAGC TC - #AGACTGTG        1320                                                                           - TGCATAGACC AACACAAGGG TATTTTGCCG TGGCGGTTGT CAGGAAAGCA AA - #TGGTGGTA        1380                                                                           - TCACCTGGAA CTCTGTGAGA GGCACGAAGT CCTGCCACAC TGCTGTGGAC AG - #GACAGCAG        1440                                                                           - GCTGGAACAT CCCCATGGGC CTGCTTGTCA ACCAGACAGG CTCCTGCAAA TT - #TGACGAAT        1500                                                                           - TCTTTAGTCA AAGCTGTGCT CCTGGGTCTC AGCCGGGATC CAATCTCTGT GC - #ACTGTGTG        1560                                                                           - TTGGCAATGA CCAGGGCGTG GACAAGTGTG TGCCCAACAG TAATGAGAGA TA - #CTATGGTT        1620                                                                           - ACACCGGGGC TTTCAGGTGC CTGGCTGAGA ATGCTGGGGA TGTGGCGTTT GT - #GAAAGATG        1680                                                                           - TCACTGTCTT GGACAACACG AATGGACAGA ACACAGAAGA GTGGGCCAGG GA - #ATTGAGGT        1740                                                                           - CAGATGACTT TGAGCTGCTG TGCCTTGATG GCACCAGGAA GCCTGTGACT GA - #GGCTCAGA        1800                                                                           - ACTGTCACCT GGCTGTGGCC CCCAGTCATG CTGTGGTCTC TCGGAAGGAA AA - #GGCAGCAC        1860                                                                           - AGGTGGAACA GGTGCTACTC ACTGAGCAGG CTCAGTTTGG AAGATACGGA AA - #AGACTGCC        1920                                                                           - CGGACAAGTT TTGCTTGTTC CGGTCTGAGA CCAAAAACCT TCTGTTCAAC GA - #CAACACGG        1980                                                                           - AGGTTCTGGC CCAACTCCAA GGCAAAACAA CATACGAAAA ATATTTGGGA TC - #AGAGTATG        2040                                                                           - TCACAGCCAT CGCTAACCTG AAACAGTGCT CAGTCTCCCC GCTTCTGGAA GC - #CTGTGCCT        2100                                                                           - TCATGATGAG GTAAAACCGG AAAAGAAGCT GCCCGCCTCC CCAGGGGCCT CA - #GCTTTCCC        2160                                                                           - TCCTCCCGTC TTGATTCCCA GCTGCCCTGG GCCTGCCTCT CTCCCTTCCT GA - #GGGCAGAC        2220                                                                           #  2259            GTTT TCACAATTCC CTCGTGCCG                                   - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:                                             -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #acids    (A) LENGTH: 703 amino                                                          (B) TYPE: amino acid                                                           (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -     (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein                                              -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: YES                                                   -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      -     (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE:                                                              (A) ORGANISM: Sus scrof - #a                                         #ID NO:6: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       -      Met Lys Leu Phe Ile Pro Ala Leu - # Leu Phe Leu Gly Thr Leu Gly         Leu                                                                            #   15                                                                         -      Cys Leu Ala Ala Pro Lys Lys Gly - # Val Arg Trp Cys Val Ile Ser         Thr                                                                            #                 30                                                           -      Ala Glu Tyr Ser Lys Cys Arg Gln - # Trp Gln Ser Lys Ile Arg Arg         Thr                                                                            #             45                                                               -      Asn Pro Met Phe Cys Ile Arg Arg - # Ala Ser Pro Thr Asp Cys Ile         Arg                                                                            #         60                                                                   -      Ala Ile Ala Ala Lys Arg Ala Asp - # Ala Val Thr Leu Asp Gly Gly         Leu                                                                            #     80                                                                       -      Val Phe Glu Ala Asp Gln Tyr Lys - # Leu Arg Pro Val Ala Ala Glu         Ile                                                                            #   95                                                                         -      Tyr Gly Thr Glu Glu Asn Pro Gln - # Thr Tyr Tyr Tyr Ala Val Ala         Val                                                                            #                110                                                           -      Val Lys Lys Gly Phe Asn Phe Gln - # Asn Gln Leu Gln Gly Arg Lys         Ser                                                                            #            125                                                               -      Cys His Thr Gly Leu Gly Arg Ser - # Ala Gly Trp Asn Ile Pro Ile         Gly                                                                            #        140                                                                   -      Leu Leu Arg Arg Phe Leu Asp Trp - # Ala Gly Pro Pro Glu Pro Leu         Gln                                                                            #    160                                                                       -      Lys Ala Val Ala Lys Phe Phe Ser - # Gln Ser Cys Val Pro Cys Ala         Asp                                                                            #   175                                                                        -      Gly Asn Ala Tyr Pro Asn Leu Cys - # Gln Leu Cys Ile Gly Lys Gly         Lys                                                                            #                190                                                           -      Asp Lys Cys Ala Cys Ser Ser Gln - # Glu Pro Tyr Phe Gly Tyr Ser         Gly                                                                            #            205                                                               -      Ala Phe Asn Cys Leu His Lys Gly - # Ile Gly Asp Val Ala Phe Val         Lys                                                                            #        220                                                                   -      Glu Ser Thr Val Phe Glu Asn Leu - # Pro Gln Lys Ala Asp Arg Asp         Lys                                                                            #    240                                                                       -      Tyr Glu Leu Leu Cys Pro Asp Asn - # Thr Arg Lys Pro Val Glu Ala         Phe                                                                            #   255                                                                        -      Arg Glu Cys His Leu Ala Arg Val - # Pro Ser His Ala Val Val Ala         Arg                                                                            #                270                                                           -      Ser Val Asn Gly Lys Glu Asn Ser - # Ile Trp Glu Leu Leu Tyr Gln         Ser                                                                            #            285                                                               -      Gln Lys Lys Phe Gly Lys Ser Asn - # Pro Gln Glu Phe Gln Leu Phe         Gly                                                                            #        300                                                                   -      Ser Pro Gly Gln Gln Lys Asp Leu - # Leu Phe Arg Asp Ala Thr Ile         Gly                                                                            #    320                                                                       -      Phe Leu Lys Ile Pro Ser Lys Ile - # Asp Ser Lys Leu Tyr Leu Gly         Leu                                                                            #   335                                                                        -      Pro Tyr Leu Thr Ala Ile Gln Gly - # Leu Arg Glu Thr Ala Ala Glu         Val                                                                            #                350                                                           -      Glu Ala Arg Gln Ala Lys Val Val - # Trp Cys Ala Val Gly Pro Glu         Glu                                                                            #            365                                                               -      Leu Arg Lys Cys Arg Gln Trp Ser - # Ser Gln Ser Ser Gln Asn Leu         Asn                                                                            #        380                                                                   -      Cys Ser Leu Ala Ser Thr Thr Glu - # Asp Cys Ile Val Gln Val Leu         Lys                                                                            #    400                                                                       -      Gly Glu Ala Asp Ala Met Ser Leu - # Asp Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr         Ala                                                                            #   415                                                                        -      Gly Lys Cys Gly Leu Val Pro Val - # Leu Ala Glu Asn Gln Lys Ser         Arg                                                                            #                430                                                           -      Gln Ser Ser Ser Ser Asp Cys Val - # His Arg Pro Thr Gln Gly Tyr         Phe                                                                            #            445                                                               -      Ala Val Ala Val Val Arg Lys Ala - # Asn Gly Gly Ile Thr Trp Asn         Ser                                                                            #        460                                                                   -      Val Arg Gly Thr Lys Ser Cys His - # Thr Ala Val Asp Arg Thr Ala         Gly                                                                            #    480                                                                       -      Trp Asn Ile Pro Met Gly Leu Leu - # Val Asn Gln Thr Gly Ser Cys         Lys                                                                            #   495                                                                        -      Phe Asp Glu Phe Phe Ser Gln Ser - # Cys Ala Pro Gly Ser Gln Pro         Gly                                                                            #                510                                                           -      Ser Asn Leu Cys Ala Leu Cys Val - # Gly Asn Asp Gln Gly Val Asp         Lys                                                                            #            525                                                               -      Cys Val Pro Asn Ser Asn Glu Arg - # Tyr Tyr Gly Tyr Thr Gly Ala         Phe                                                                            #        540                                                                   -      Arg Cys Leu Ala Glu Asn Ala Gly - # Asp Val Ala Phe Val Lys Asp         Val                                                                            #    560                                                                       -      Thr Val Leu Asp Asn Thr Asn Gly - # Gln Asn Thr Glu Glu Trp Ala         Arg                                                                            #   575                                                                        -      Glu Leu Arg Ser Asp Asp Phe Glu - # Leu Leu Cys Leu Asp Gly Thr         Arg                                                                            #                590                                                           -      Lys Pro Val Thr Glu Ala Gln Asn - # Cys His Leu Ala Val Ala Pro         Ser                                                                            #            605                                                               -      His Ala Val Val Ser Arg Lys Glu - # Lys Ala Ala Gln Val Glu Gln         Val                                                                            #        620                                                                   -      Leu Leu Thr Glu Gln Ala Gln Phe - # Gly Arg Tyr Gly Lys Asp Cys         Pro                                                                            #    640                                                                       -      Asp Lys Phe Cys Leu Phe Arg Ser - # Glu Thr Lys Asn Leu Leu Phe         Asn                                                                            #   655                                                                        -      Asp Asn Thr Glu Val Leu Ala Gln - # Leu Gln Gly Lys Thr Thr Tyr         Glu                                                                            #                670                                                           -      Lys Tyr Leu Gly Ser Glu Tyr Val - # Thr Ala Ile Ala Asn Leu Lys         Gln                                                                            #            685                                                               -      Cys Ser Val Ser Pro Leu Leu Glu - # Ala Cys Ala Phe Met Met Arg         #        700                                                                   - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7:                                             -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 36 base                                                            (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      #ID NO:7: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       #       36         GAAG GAGTGTTCAG TGGTGC                                      - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8:                                             -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 24 base                                                            (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      #ID NO:8: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       #                24GCTA CAGG                                                   - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9:                                             -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 45 base                                                            (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      #ID NO:9: (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       #45                GGTG TTTTGATCAT TTTAAATTTT TATAT                            - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10:                                            -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 45 base                                                            (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      #ID NO:10:(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       #45                GCAG GTGCCGCGAC CTGAAGGCCG TACAG                            - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11:                                            -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 27 base                                                            (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      #ID NO:11:(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       #             27   GAAG GAGTGTT                                                - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:12:                                            -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 34 base                                                            (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      #ID NO:12:(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       #        34        CGCA ATGGCCTGGA TACA                                        - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:13:                                            -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 27 base                                                            (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      #ID NO:13:(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       #             27   TTGA TCATTTT                                                - (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:14:                                            -      (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                           #pairs    (A) LENGTH: 52 base                                                            (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                 -    (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO                                                    -     (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO                                                      #ID NO:14:(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ                                       - TGGAATTCGA TCGCGGATCC GCAATGCATG CAGCCAAAGC AGGTGCCGCG AC - #                  52                                                                           __________________________________________________________________________ 

We claim:
 1. A recombinant expression vector having a transcription unit comprising the following elements in operable 5'- to 3'-linkage:(1) a promoter permitting the regulation of gene expression in an Aspergillus host cell; (2) a nucleotide sequence permitting translation initiation in an Aspergillus host cell; (3) a lactoferrin-encoding nucleotide sequence selected from the group of sequences encoding a naturally-occurring lactoferrin allelic product, an iron-binding lobe of a native lactoferrin, and an antimicrobial peptide of a native lactoferrin having the amino acid sequence between position 20 and position 71, inclusive, of a naturally-occurring lactoferrin precursor; and, (4) nucleotide sequences permitting translation and transcription termination in an Aspergillus host cell.
 2. The expression vector of claim 1 wherein said promoter is selected from a gene of the group consisting of an alcohol dehydrogenase gene, an argB gene, an α-amylase gene, a glucoamylase gene and a benA gene.
 3. The expression vector of claim 1, wherein said transcription termination sequence is selected from the genes of the group consisting of α-amylase gene, glucoamylase gene, alcohol dehydrogenase gene and benA gene.
 4. A recombinant expression vector comprising the following elements in operable 5'- to 3'-linkage:(1) a promoter permitting the regulation of gene expression in a transformed fungal host cell, said promoter selected from a gene of the group consisting of an alcohol dehydrogenase gene, an argB gene, an α-amylase gene, a glucoamylase gene and a benA gene; (2) a nucleotide sequence permitting translation initiation in a transformed fungal host cell; (3) a lactoferrin-encoding nucleotide sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of a sequence encoding the lactoferrin protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 and a sequence encoding a naturally-occurring lactoferrin product of a variant human allele; (4) nucleotide sequences permitting translation and transcription termination in a transformed fungal host cell; wherein said vector permits the expression of a human lactoferrin in, and subsequent processing by, a transformed fungal host cell.
 5. A recombinant expression vector comprising the following elements in operable 5'- to 3'-linkage:(1) a promoter permitting the regulation of gene expression in a transformed fungal host cell; (2) a nucleotide sequence permitting translation initiation in a transformed fungal host cell; (3) a lactoferrin-encoding nucleotide sequence selected from the group of sequences consisting of a sequence encoding the lactoferrin protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 and a sequence encoding a naturally-occurring lactoferrin product of a variant human allele; and, (4) nucleotide sequences permitting translation and transcription termination in a transformed fungal host cell, wherein said transcription termination sequence is selected from a gene of the group consisting of an alcohol dehydrogenase gene, an α-amylase gene, a glucoamylase gene and a benA gene; wherein said vector permits the expression of a human lactoferrin in, and subsequent processing by, a transformed fungal host cell.
 6. A transformed fungal host cell comprising a vector permitting the expression of a lactoferrin product in said host cell, said vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a lactoferrin product selected from the group of products consisting of a native lactoferrin protein, an iron-binding lobe of a native lactoferrin, and an antimicrobial peptide of a native lactoferrin having the amino acid sequence between position 20 and position 71, inclusive, of a naturally-occurring lactoferrin precursor, and further comprising transcriptional and translational regulatory elements suitable for the expression of said lactoferrin-encoding nucleotide sequence in operable linkage thereto.
 7. The transformed fungal cell of claim 6, wherein said fungal cell is Aspergillus.
 8. The transformed Aspergillus cell of claim 6, wherein said Aspergillus cell is selected from the group consisting of A. oryzae, A. niger, A nidulans and A. awamori.
 9. The transformed fungal cell of claim 6, wherein said cell is a yeast cell selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluveromyces lactis, and Pichia pastoris.
 10. A transformed fungal host cell comprising a vector permitting the expression of a bovine lactoferrin product in said host cell, said vector comprising in operable 5'- to 3'-linkage:(1) a promoter permitting the regulation of gene expression in a transformed fungal host cell; (2) a nucleotide sequence permitting translation initiation in a transformed fungal host cell; (3) a nucleotide sequence encoding the bovine lactoferrin protein encoded by SEQ ID NO:3; and, (4) nucleotide sequences permitting translation and transcription termination in a transformed fungal host cell.
 11. The transformed fungal cell of claim 10, wherein said fungal cell is Aspergillus.
 12. The transformed Aspergillus cell of claim 10, wherein said Aspergillus cell is selected from the group consisting of A. oryzae, A. niger, A. nidulans and A. awamori.
 13. The transformed fungal cell of claim 10, wherein said cell is a yeast cell selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Kluveromyces lactis, and Pichia pastoris.
 14. A process for producing lactoferrin which comprises the following steps:(a) transforming an Aspergillus cell with an expression vector comprising the following elements in 5'- to 3'-linkage:(1) a promoter permitting the regulation of gene expression in a transformed Aspergillus host cell, (2) a nucleotide sequence permitting translation initiation in a transformed Aspergillus host cell, (3) a nucleotide sequence encoding a lactoferrin product selected from the group consisting of a native lactoferrin protein, an iron-binding lobe of a native lactoferrin, and an antimicrobial peptide of a native lactoferrin having the amino acid sequence between position 20 and position 71, inclusive, of a naturally-occurring lactoferrin precursor, and, (4) nucleotide sequences permitting translation and transcription termination in a transformed Aspergillus host cell; and (b) culturing said transformed Aspergillus cell in a suitable nutrient medium until said lactoferrin product is expressed and secreted into the nutrient medium; and, (c) isolating said secreted lactoferrin product from the nutrient medium.
 15. The process of claim 14, wherein said nucleotide sequence encoding a lactoferrin product is the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.
 16. The process of claim 14, wherein said native lactoferrin protein has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
 17. The process of claim 14, wherein said Aspergillus cell is selected from the group consisting of A. oryzae, A niger, A. nidulans and A. awamori.
 18. The process of claim 14, wherein said promoter is selected from the genes of the group consisting of alcohol dehydrogenase gene, argB gene, α-amylase gene, glucoamylase gene, and benA gene.
 19. The process of claim 14, wherein said transcription termination sequence is selected from the genes of the group consisting of α-amylase gene, glucoamylase gene, alcohol dehydrogenase gene and benA gene.
 20. The process of claim 14, wherein said vector further comprises a nucleotide sequence comprising a selectable marker gene and a nucleotide sequence encoding a secretory signal peptide operably linked to said nucleotide sequence encoding a lactoferrin product.
 21. The process of claim 20, wherein said selectable marker gene is selected from the genes of the group consisting of pyr4, pyG, andS, argB and trpC.
 22. The process of claim 20, wherein said secretory signal peptide-encoding nucleotide sequence is selected from a gene of the group consisting of an α-amylase gene, a glucoamylase gene and a lactoferrin gene.
 23. A method of isolating a lactoferrin product from a fungal nutrient medium which comprises culturing a transformed Aspergillus oryzae host cell comprising a recombinant vector, wherein said vector comprises the following elements in operable 5'- to 3'-linkage:(1) a promoter permitting the regulation of gene expression in a transformed Aspergillus host cell, (2) a nucleotide sequence permitting translation initiation in a transformed Aspergillus host cell, and, (3) optionally, a nucleotide sequence encoding a secretory signal peptide, (4) a nucleotide coding sequence selected from the group consisting of a cDNA encoding a lactoferrin protein having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, a cDNA encoding a lactoferrin protein having the amino acid sequence of naturally-occurring allelic lactoferrin variant, a cDNA encoding an iron-binding lobe of a native lactoferrin protein, and a cDNA encoding an antimicrobial peptide of a native lactoferrin protein having an amino acid sequence between position 20 and position 71, inclusive, of a naturally-occurring lactoferrin precursor, and (5) nucleotide sequences permitting translation and transcription termination in a transformed Aspergillus host cell; wherein said vector further comprises a selectable marker gene, and culture of said transformed Aspergillus oryzae host cell proceeds in suitable nutrient medium until said lactoferrin product is expressed and secreted into the nutrient medium by said host cell and subsequently isolated therefrom.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the vector is further defined as containing pyr4 selectable marker gene, promoter from the alpha-amylase gene, transcription termination sequence from the glucoamylase gene, and linker sequence from the alpha-amylase gene. 